Global Rugby Expertise Lands in Abuja: Participants Charged After Intensive Course

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) successfully concluded a three-day World Rugby coaching, refereeing, and medical course in Abuja. Following the intensive program, the federation tasked participants with applying their newly acquired knowledge to foster rugby development within their respective communities.

Dr. Ademola Are, President of the NRFF, underscored the vital role of these coaches, referees, and medical officers, urging them to become catalysts for the sport's advancement in their states. He emphasized that the growth of rugby is contingent upon their unwavering commitment and expertise. Dr. Are further advised participants to collaborate actively with their state associations, sports councils, and ministries of sports to expand the game and secure greater recognition for rugby. He also advocated for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, asserting that a coordinated approach is essential for creating a more sustainable structure for rugby development.

Robert Bwari, World Rugby East and Southern Africa Game Growth Manager, expressed considerable satisfaction with Nigeria's advancements in coaching, refereeing, and medical development over recent years. He highlighted that Nigeria now boasts World Rugby educators capable of conducting local training for coaches and referees, thereby reducing the need for World Rugby to send educators from abroad, with supervision now being the primary requirement. Bwari noted that the most encouraging aspect is the increasing number of coaches and referees joining the sport.

Approximately 80 individuals registered for the seminar and workshop, which the NRFF anticipates will have a significant and widespread impact on rugby development across the entire country. The federation is confident that this investment in human capital will yield substantial returns for the sport.

Angulu Suleiman, the newly appointed NRFF Technical Director, commended the federation for its trust in him and called upon participants to take the initiative in further developing the sport. He stated that the training program had established a benchmark, making it the collective responsibility of the coaches, referees, and medical officers to build upon this foundation and elevate rugby to new heights. Additionally, Lazarus Nuhu, one of the six ambassadors appointed by the NRFF President, praised the federation's dedication to the sport and expressed gratitude to its leadership.

Wuraola Hussain, an NRFF board member and World Rugby-certified instructor, affirmed that the federation's sustained investment in technical development is poised to significantly contribute to rugby's growth. She reiterated the expectation that participants would utilize the knowledge gained from the course to cultivate the next generation of rugby coaches, referees, and players in their states and communities.