Sports

NRFF Intensifies Rugby Development With TI Coaching Training In Abuja

Published

1 year ago

October 20, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has intensified efforts to boost grassroots rugby development with another round of TI Coaching Training scheduled to hold in Abuja from October 23 to 25, 2025.

The three-day program aims to equip young and aspiring coaches with essential skills and technical knowledge needed to advance rugby across the country. Coaches from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate.

To qualify for the program, participants must have completed the World Rugby Ready course — designed to promote best practices and help stakeholders manage the inherent risks of contact sports by implementing proper safety measures.

They are also required to undergo two additional modules:

Concussion Management for the General Public, which ensures players who suffer concussions receive proper care to protect their long-term health, and

Safeguarding Essentials, an introduction to key principles of child and player protection in sports, explaining how to identify, reduce, and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Speaking ahead of the training, World Rugby–certified instructor Wuraola Hussaini said the TI program will provide participants with the opportunity to put theory into practice.

“This training allows coaches to apply what they’ve learned theoretically. It’s part of NRFF’s commitment to instilling proper knowledge and techniques that will strengthen rugby coaching in Nigeria,” she said.

NRFF President, Dr. Ademola Are, commended World Rugby and Rugby Africa for their continued support and emphasized the importance of structured training in building the sport’s foundation.

“Our goal is to ensure that our coaches are well-grounded in globally accepted methods,” Dr. Are stated. “We want coaching in Nigeria to align with international standards and our long-term vision for rugby development. This kind of training is key to achieving that.”

The program reaffirms NRFF’s commitment to professionalizing rugby coaching and nurturing a new generation of technically sound coaches to drive the sport’s growth nationwide.

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Sports

AACT 2026: South Africa Lead as Nigeria Fifth After Day One

Published

10 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The ongoing All Africa Challenge Trophy, AACT, currently ongoing in the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja enters Day 2 today. At the end of Day 1, South Africa took an early lead with 154 strokes.

Kenya occupied second position with 158 strokes, while Tanzania placed third with 160 strokes after the opening round of the continental women’s golf championship.

Uganda finished fourth with 163 strokes, while Host Nigeria occupied fifth position with 166 strokes.

Zambia followed in sixth position with 167 strokes, ahead of Botswana, which returned 170 strokes to place seventh.

Ghana finished eighth with 172 strokes, while Zimbabwe and Tunisia occupied ninth and 10th positions with 174 and 176 strokes, respectively.

In the individual standings, South Africa’s Isabella Ferreira emerged as the Day One leader with four strokes over par (+4).

Ferreira, who expressed satisfaction with her opening-round performance, said she was encouraged by her start but remained focused on maintaining consistency.

“I’m happy with how I started the championship. The course demands concentration and patience, and I will continue to take each hole as it comes,” she said.

Kenya’s Kanana Muthomi followed closely in second position with five strokes over par (+5), while Uganda’s Keisha Kagoro occupied third position with six strokes over par (+6).

Kagoro said she was delighted with her start and determined to build on the performance.

“It is encouraging to begin the championship this way. I know the competition is strong, but I will stay focused, trust my game and work towards an even better performance,” she said.

South Africa’s Lourenda Steyn also returned six strokes over par to share third position with Kagoro.

Botswana’s Loapi Chokwe occupied fifth position with seven strokes over par (+7), while Tanzania’s Neema Olomi and Madina Iddy were tied on eight strokes over par (+8).

Kenya’s Bianca Ngecu and Kellie Gachaga returned nine strokes over par (+9) apiece.

Nigeria’s Juliana Ehinomhen finished among the leading 10 players, returning 10 strokes over par (+10) to occupy joint 10th position.

However, the Nigerian team will be seeking to improve its standing in the remaining rounds as competition intensifies among the participating countries. No fewer than 20 countries are participating in the championship, which features three rounds of 18 holes each, culminating in 54 holes.

It will be recalled that Nigeria’s First Lady and Grand Patron of AACT 2026, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, performed the ceremonial tee-off on Tuesday, November 3, signalling the commencement of the continental championship.

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