Despite earlier approval for rugby’s inclusion in the 2024 National Sports Festival, the Joint Technical Committee has now opted out of hosting the sport at the event.
The reversal comes after several state Directors of Sports raised concerns over insufficient funding. They explained that the financial allocation for their contingents is already stretched thin, and including rugby would strain their resources further.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, had previously announced rugby’s readmittance, sparking excitement within the rugby community. However, this latest decision has dealt a blow to that progress.
President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Dr. Ademola Are, expressed his disappointment, calling the move a setback for the sport’s development. “This would have been a great opportunity to scout national team players ahead of the Africa Sevens Tournament in Mauritius,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate, but we remain optimistic. Rugby in Nigeria is growing, and we will continue to push forward. Our dream of becoming a dominant force in African rugby is still alive,” Dr. Are added.