Mbagwu States Gains of RFN Board

President of Nigeria Rugby Federation (NRF), Kelechukwu Mbagwu, has called on stakeholders of the sport not to be distracted by the current impasse within the family as he strives to take the sport to greater heights.

Recently, Rugby Afrique, the continental governing body suspended the NRF board shortly after the elective congress of all the sports federations in Abuja few months ago.

“Since after the elections, we have settled into the onerous task of coordinating rugby in Nigeria and building a lasting foundation with remarkably little fuss.

“Despite the set-back of the suspension imposed by Rugby Afrique, we have embarked on an ambitious plan to build the momentum of the progress of the game right from the onset.

“Taking into consideration our cardinal points of reference, the board has tackled a plethora of early challenges to put us on the path of progress,” the RFN boss stated last weekend.

Since the new regime came on board, there have been three Sevens tournaments used as pre-qualifiers for the annual Independence sevens.

The Gossar Sevens in Lagos, the Barewa Sevens in Kano and the New Northern Sevens which held in Zaria. The Independence Sevens’ held at the Polo Club in Lagos.

Mbagwu said the body will abide with the stance of Rugby Afrique, while the draft of a new constitution will be released soon after due consultation with the board.

“One of the first criteria for membership of Rugby Afrique is that the union must have a validly adopted constitution and this first presentation is the initial step towards the adoption of the constitution,” he noted.

On finance, he said the Sponsorship Committee of NRF has been on the move especially after Rugby Afrique and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) were kind enough to provide the federation with enough endorsement to legitimise the pursuit of new sponsors.

Related Articles