The national team, also known as Black Stallions, is the major property of the NRFF.<br />
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) general elections slated to take place on July 1 in Abuja is being threatened by disagreements over the exact guidelines to be used for the polls.
Current NRFF president, Edward Pam, CMB chairman and Kelechi Mbagwu are among the stakeholders contesting for the position.Skipper of the national team, Azeez Ladipo told The Guardian yesterday that the contestants have been at loggerheads over the terms of the elections, saying some of the candidates have threatened to scuttle the process if the ‘right’ rules were not adhered to in the conduct of the polls.
“The African Rugby Federation’s representative has told the body to use its guidelines as against the Nigerian guideline, which some of the contestants did not accept. Some want only coaches and captains of clubs to vote while the others are not interested in that line. The July 1 elections might be marred with crises if these problems are not solved before the election day,” he said.
Efforts to reach the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung on the issues raised by the stakeholders failed as the minister was said to be ‘out of town.’ But an official of the Ministry of Sports, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the rules governing Nigerian federations’ elections were clear on the modalities for the elections.
The federations met with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Sports Ministry where it was agreed that the guidelines set out by the Ministry would be used for the elections. There is no controversy over that.”
Meanwhile, defending champions, Corona Primary School, Gbagada were at the weekend crowned champions of the 2017 My Family All Schools Rugby League following their 3-2 defeat of Chrisland Primary School in the final round of matches held at Chrisland Primary School, Ikeja sports complex.
The final matches of the league involved Corona, Temple and Chrisland primary schools. At the end of the matches, Temple Primary School gave the defending champions a good chase which resulted in both teams drawing 14-14 on points, while Chrisland scored just four points in the final result.
The organisers of the league then opted to decide the winner through a play off of 10 minutes each half between Corona and Chrisland.Parents present at the event were full of praises and encouragements for their wards, but Corona scored the first try through a superb run from Olasogba Oluwatobiloba in the early minute of the tie.
Determined to win the game on their home ground, Chrisland’s Ini-Abasi Ewang leveled scores for his team towards the end of the first half. The game looked like going the way of Chrisland in the second half after Timilehin Fanimi scored the second try for the home team, but their hopes were dashed when Corona’s Olosoogba Oluwatobiloba stole the show with his amazing skills by scoring two quick tries to ensure his team retained the league trophy.
Speaking at the end of competition, coordinator of the championship, Seyi Opanubi assured the students that the My Family Mobile would not stop sponsoring the league despite the challenges involved in training the kids, coaches and referees.
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