Sports
NRFF Launches Nationwide Initiative to Empower 3,000 Girls Through Rugby Rising Play
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation is setting the stage for a revolution in girls’ sports by targeting 5,000 young players across the country. The inaugural phase of the Rugby Rising Play (TI Rugby) program kicked off in schools nationwide, marking an exhilarating start to week one.
The first week’s training sessions dazzled participants with dynamic drills including Catch and Release, Try Scoring Race, Raggy Tag, and BulletBall—engaging activities that sparked massive enthusiasm across the nation. Schools responded in full force, with impressive numbers reported from:
Methodist Girls High School, Abia State – 101 girlsState Primary School Eneka, Port Harcourt, Rivers State – 26 girlsAfugiwi Memorial Girl School, Abia State – 82 girlsComprehensive High School, Zaria, Kaduna State – 30 girlsThe Tend Ril Montessori School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State – 37 girlsOgida Model School, Benin, Edo State – 47 girlsGovernment Girls College, Kano State – 32 girlsAKCC Girls, Kano State – 35 girlsAsero Girls College, Abeokuta, Ogun State – 40 girlsMimshack Academy, Nbawsi Isialangwa North, Abia State – 25 girlsMabuga Primary School, Bauchi State – 35 girlsGovernment Girls College Makurdi, Benue State – 28 girlsRariya Primary School, Bauchi State – 15 girlsUniversity of Ilorin Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State – 45 girls.
Project supervisor Wuraola Hussein expressed her delight at the overwhelming response:”I am thrilled with the enthusiasm we’ve seen so far. The reports coming in from across the country are proof of our coaches’ dedication and the kids’ eagerness to learn. Their passion is truly contagious.”
Meanwhile, Federation President Dr. Ademola Are lauded World Rugby for recognizing Nigeria’s potential despite stiff competition from other African nations. “This endorsement means the world is noticing the efforts we’re making to grow the game. We won’t stop here—we will continue to create an enabling environment for our coaches, referees, and more youth to embrace rugby.”
With such a vibrant start, the NRFF is well on its way to transforming the landscape of girls’ rugby in Nigeria, promising both sporting excellence and lifelong opportunities for thousands of young women.
Sports
Stakeholders Ought to Project Nigerian Sports in Positive Light – NSC DG Olopade
…Says projecting positive image is key to attracting and sustaining investments
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has charged stakeholders in the sports sector to consistently project Nigerian sports in a positive light to attract the necessary funding and drive sustainable growth in the industry.
Speaking at the Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS), co-organized by the NSC and Sports Nigeria in Lagos, Olopade emphasized that the perception of Nigeria’s sports industry plays a crucial role in securing private-sector investment.
“Like international best practices, you don’t de-market a product you intend to take to the market because the perception of the product out there matters a lot.”
“As someone who has worked in the private sector for more than two decades, I understand why our sports have not attracted optimal private-sector investment. This is why, at the NSC, we are working to change the narrative with our Reset, Rethink, and Relaunch campaign,” he stated.
Olopade pointed out that top global sports institutions have thrived because they collectively built a positive image over time, ensuring strong brand perception among all stakeholders.
As a panelist at the Summit’s breakout session, Olopade also addressed the capacity gaps in corporate governance, administration, and management within Nigeria’s sports federations. He outlined key reforms introduced by the NSC under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, particularly in corporate governance structures.
“And I am glad to say we are already getting positive results from this because in Rugby where they now have a COO, they are already on the verge of security two Sponsorships and the President of the Nigeria Badminton Federation, Francis Obih, has just informed me of how impactful their new COO, Blessing Ekwe, was to the team at the recently finished All Africa Badminton Championship in Cameroon.”
Additionally, Olopade revealed plans to introduce dedicated Corporate Communications Units across all sports federations to enhance information management and strategic dissemination.
“Now, plans are underway to ensure all the sports federations have corporate communications teams for cutting-edge information management and dissemination,” he concluded.
The NSC’s commitment to reshaping Nigerian sports through strategic branding, governance reforms, and private-sector engagement continues to set a new course for the future of the industry.
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