Date: 14/10/14
Rugby League Nigeria is now part of the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) after the application of Rugby Sports 13 Foundation of Nigeria to become an Observer was accepted by the Federation making it the next West African country to be recognized following Ghana s acceptance.
Rugby Sports 13 Foundation of Nigeria is the official registered body representing Rugby League in Nigeria, pending the attainment of a Federation recognition by the National Sports Council (NSC)
This is a testimony to all the work done so far, and will greatly serve as an elixir to greater speed in the development of rugby league in Nigeria, said Uche Ezechiogbe, Rugby League Nigeria s founder and president. We are thankful for the trust bestowed on this great nation of vibrant sport-loving youths, and promise to be worthy ambassadors to the worldwide rugby league family, while working towards achieving an Affiliate status in the shortest possible time.
As a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field, rugby league is reputed for offering more entertaining game for spectators and is frequently cited as the toughest, most physically demanding of team sports. The success of rugby in Nigeria will spur immense benefits for our youth. Its introduction into Nigeria s sports world would be an empowerment initiative that will tap into the abundant and resilient energy of Nigerian youth.
The attainment of an observer status will help build, manage and enhance the reputation of Rugby League and of the Rugby League Nigeria with government decision makers and corporate sponsors. It will also ensure the voice of RLN is heard by government in decision making on the future of sport and its role within the government s agenda at national, state and local levels.
Currently, RLN is accelerating its plans to ensure the game of Rugby League, both professional and amateur, is better represented in Nigeria. It has permission to host a beach rugby league tournament on the pristine white sands of Ibeno Beach in the Ibeno, Akwa Ibom this Christmas and its annual Easter Weekend Rugby League game which has held twice now since 2013, will even be bigger in 2015.
RLN has so far held an outreach at Akwa Ibom State University where it conducted seminar on Rugby League followed by a Q&A session, after which it a record number of the students registered to play. It is already planning a NYSC outreach that will commence with the first batch of corps members in 2015.
It cancelled a planned training that would have been conducted by Simon Taylor of Rugby League New Zealand because of the boarder closure between Cameroon and Nigeria, as result of the current Ebola scare in the region.
