BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
In a bid to develop and promote the game of rugby across the country, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF assigned one of its officials, Hussain Shakirat Wuraola to launch the game of rugby in Kogi State over the weekend.
Hussain, who was in Kogi State over the weekend for the official launching and establishment of Rugby, expressed appreciation and gratitude to His Royal Majestsy,Kabiesi Olu Adee of Ekinrin Adde, his son, Barrister Dayo Babalola, Mrs Kajuni Lilian as well as sons and daughters of the state for their invitations to launch rugby in the state.
Hussain who doubles as rugby coach, while addressing the rugby stakeholders in the state stated that the NRFF is committed to develop and promote the game of rugby in nooks and crannies of the state and Nigeria at large
She, however,vurged the state government and other sport philanthropists in Kogi to invest more and channel their resources in the game of rugby.
“I was assigned here by the national body and the purpose of coming to Kogi is to do the official launching of rugby football and i must confess that the support I got from the Royal Majesty as well as sons and daughters of the state gladdened my heart.
Let me assure the good people of Kogi State that the game of rugby would be fast growing in the state very soon, and very soon, the state would begin to host national competitions and well standard state league,”she said.
Commenting on the importance of the game, Hussain took her time to highlight the benefits of the game to the stakeholders and admonished them to encourage and support their wards or young people who are interested in the game of rugby football.
Explaining what NRFF stands for, Hussain said the body was established to develop, promote and administer the game of rugby in the country and urged corporate bodies and other sport philanthropists to support the body financially and materially in its activities.
“The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) is the governing body for rugby union in Nigeria. It is affiliated to the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Rugby Africa and World Rugby.”
“The NRFF is constituted with a democratic board headed by President; Ademola Are and Vice President; AIG Aliyu Abubakar (Rtd) who have been elected to run the affairs of rugby in Nigeria
“The aims of NRFF is to increase the volume of rugby activity for states, schools, clubs in Nigeria, with greater diversity of players, whilst also improving the quality of game play, provide stronger links to clubs in both player and volunteer retention.
“The body objective is not only developing young players, but also aiding them in their physical, social, emotional and academic development in their state, schools and clubs,” she concludes.
