BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Vice President of Ibudo Rugby Football Association, Shakirat Wuraola Hussain has predicted brighter future for the game of rugby in Nigeria and called on corporate bodies as well as sports philanthropists for their support.
She disclosed this at the just concluded The Golden 9″s Rugby League Tournament held in Lagos.
While speaking with our correspondent, the former Nigerian rugby player explained that the game of rugby is gradually gaining momentum in the country considering the number of players showing interest in the game and clubs established on daily basis.
She said in the last few years rugby was nothing to write home about in the country but commended the national body and state’s associations for their efforts to make the game well known among the youths in the country.
“Rugby football is fasting growing in the country and i must commend the national body and state’s associations for doing everything possible to make the sport well known in the country. Nigeria always participate in the continental competitions and we even attended last African Games held in Ghana. This is to tell you that we are getting better and with time, we would get there,” she said.
Hussain revealed that the major reason other African countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and other rugby football playing countries are better than Nigeria is because they involve in regular competitions that make their players better and prepare them for future competitions.
She however called on corporate bodies, sports philanthropists, well meaning Nigerians and other stakeholders to channel their resources to the game of rugby noted that Nigeria has potential players or team that can compete at the world stage if they can be sponsored, motivated or get sponsors for state and national competitions to prepare them better for the future engagements.