BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Chairman Nigeria Rugby League Association, NRLA, Abiodun Olawale-Cole has reinstated its association commitment to the ongoing Nigeria Rugby League taking place in Lagos.
Olawale-Cole told our correspondent after watching week four over the weekend at the CMS Grammar School, Baruga, Lagos.
Whie commending the organisation of the league, Olawale-Cole said he was impressed with the commitment of the clubs in the ongoing league and revealed that the association has provided all the necessary support for the clubs,players,coahes and match officials throughout the league.
“I am impressed with the report i got from the league.Although we have some challenges which we are working to resolve.The association within its capacity has motivated the clubs, players, coaches and other match officials as a way of encouraging them to show their commitment to the league.
“From the information i gathered and what i saw today (Saturday) we are getting better despite our challenges.The players are very impressive and the awareness is growing gradually and i urge the participants to keep the momentum so that we can get the best team that would emerge as champions in the Southern Conference at the end of the league,”he said.
Olawale-Cole noted that league is not playing for fun but served as a preparatory ground for the players ahead of rugby world cup qualifiers against Kenya on September.
“Aside the fact that we are developing game of rugby at the grassroots level, it was also organised to select some good players for the national team against Kenya in the world cup qualifying match sheduled for September,” he said.
The NRLA boss however charged participating teams to take the league to the next level saying that their corporation would help the league to attract more sponsors in the nearest future.
Commenting on the major challenge facing the body, Olawale-Cole stated that the NRLA is working hard to get International Rugby League Federation’s full accreditation which comes with financial benefits for the association to take care of players’ welfare and run the league properly.
Nkesi Echem ,Human Resources Manager of Aerial Robotix Services Limited commended the NRLA’s dedication to developing the game from the grassroots and use the championships to build a robust community for players and fans.
She said her company is sponsoring the league because of the good relationship and mutual understanding with NRLA.