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ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN)- The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Ademola Are, has announced that the federation remains committed to promoting the involvement of girls in rugby throughout Nigeria.
Are while emphasising the federation's dedication to advancing grassroots initiatives for sport in the country made the remarks during an interview on Tuesday in Abuja.
He highlighted Rugby Rising Play, World Rugby's pioneering evidence-based program aimed specifically at introducing teenage girls to rugby.
“The selected coaches, representing each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, will operate under the mentorship of Wuraola Hussain, a Rugby Africa-certified educator. Their main duties will include driving grassroots development, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging young girls to engage in the sport,” he stated.
The federation has appointed 15 national coaches to facilitate Rugby Rising Play in Nigeria, a forward-thinking grassroots program. The selection of these coaches was based on their successful completion of the T1 Rugby Course, World Rugby's introductory non-contact rugby program.
“This initiative represents a major achievement in the federation's mission to expand the sport and advance gender equality in Nigeria,” he added.
The appointed coaches and their corresponding states are as follows:
- Amarachi Orji for Abia State
- Lawrenta Ukponwan for Edo State
- Azeez Abimbola for Rivers State
- Opene Awuli for Delta State
- Olanrewaju Pereira for Abuja FCT
- Torkwase Adug for Benue State
- Innocent Precious for Lagos State
- Paul Adagbo for Plateau State
- Umar Bau for Kano State
- Kehinde Adelaja for Ogun State
- Mohammed Ibrahim for Kwara State
- Shehu Garba for Bauchi State
- Moses Archibong for Akwa Ibom State
- Vincent Paul for Anambra State
- Sadam Abubakar for Kaduna State
The president indicated that these coaches would receive supervision from Hussain, a certified World Rugby educator. “All coaches have completed the safeguarding course mandated by the federation.
This strategic initiative seeks to tap into the talents and potential of young girls, creating opportunities for their participation and advancement in rugby at the national level,” he concluded.
