As part of move to promote and support the game of rugby in Nigeria, the British High Commission, in collaboration with SOS Kits, has donated kits to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) which is part of move to promote and support the game of rugby as well as to develop the sport in the country.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, presented the kits which consist of jerseys, training tops, shirts, shorts, track suits and rugby balls to the Federation at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday in Abuja.
The envoy who commended the NRFF for its dedication to promote rugby in Nigeria said, “We are grateful that the Nigeria Rugby Federation reached out to SOS Kits for assistance in obtaining these kits to further develop the game of rugby. SOS Kits is an award-winning UK NGO focused on donating unused sports kits of good quality to underprivileged children and rugby teams worldwide.
“We are pleased to hear of the remarkable progress made by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, rising from the 24th ranking position in Africa to 8th within three years, while also promoting women’s participation in the sport. We wish you all the best in your endeavours.”
An assistant director at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Mohammed Maigidasama, who represented the Commission at the event described the donation as a significant boost for the game of rugby in Nigeria just as he asked that the donation be extended to other sport Federations in the country.
“We appreciate this generous support for the Rugby Football Federation. With over 40 sporting federations in Nigeria, your assistance to rugby is a significant boost for the sport in the country,” Maigidasama said.
The general manager, NRFF, Azeez Ladipo, while revealing how the journey for the kits’ application started in 2023 however thanked the High Commission for its role in facilitating the arrival in Nigeria.
He said, “We are thrilled to have had our application approved. We must thank the British High Commission for facilitating the arrival of these kits in Nigeria through diplomatic channels, with no cost to the NRFF.”
Ladipo, while highlighting the remarkable progress the Federation has achieved under the leadership of its president, Dr Ademola Are, including moving from 24th to 8th in the African rankings, also noted the launch of the Rugby Rising Play Programme, aimed at engaging teenage girls aged 10 to 18 across 15 states.
He also added that the appointment of a foreign national coach, Steve Lewis, who previously won ‘Coach of the Year’ in the USA, signifies a commitment to elevate the sport.
“We have also successfully revived women’s rugby and have been readmitted to the National Institute of Sports,” Ladipo added.
READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNEÂ
