The Rugby community in Nigeria will be treated to an
uncommon version of the game this yuletide season with the 2nd
edition of the Sandie Beach Rugby Tournament scheduled to take place on
Saturday 27th December 2014 at the famous Elegushi beach in Lekki from
10am through to 4pm.
According to the initiator of the tournament Mr.
Olatunbosun Ayo Johnson who is the Head coach of Racing Rugby football club
Lagos, “Sandie beach is an annual event designed for the rugby community, to
showcase the game, to the general public, as well as celebrate the festive
season, as a family. The game was unofficially introduced to the Lagos rugby
community in the year 2013, via sandie beach, and is holding hers second
edition about this Christmas”
According to Mr. Johnson, “We are inviting the general
public, all rugby enthusiasts, and curious Nigerians (both male & female)
to come join in celebrating the festive season at the famous elegushi beach his
December the 27th. In his words, he said “it promise to be an action
packed fun filled, and educative day, with lots of prizes too be won”.
The maiden edition last year had eight 8 teams
participating, with Team Yusuf edging out Eco II Rugby team by 3 points to 1point, to claim the prize in
the epic final.
Mr. Olatunbosun said the sport is suffering from
prejudice, and lack of understanding and awareness, as a lot of Nigerian tends
to judge the sport as being rough, without trying to understand the principles
behind it. He went on to say that “Rugby
is not just a fantastic sport, it’s a way of life! Its principled, its
discipline, on and off the pitch, which is generally referred to as “A rough
game played by gentlemen”. It perches hard work, team work, respect, self
development, camaraderie and a lot more that you have to experience to
understand. Rugby is beautiful, a way of life, makes you confident, a tool that
UNITES! As used by Mandela, “A language that THE WORLD UNDERSTANDS.”
The event will be holding at the Vertigo Longue in Elegushi
beach lekki, and kicks off from 10am through to 4pm, There
will be loads of prizes, both in cash & products which has been kindly
donated by U.B.A. & Aristo mix multimedia.
Meanwhile, Ntiense Williams, popularly called “Mr. Rugby”
has thrown his weight behind the project describing it as a welcome development
for the game of Rugby in Nigeria. According to him, “Beach Rugby is a version
of Rugby which is fast catching up around the world, and Nigeria with its beautiful
beaches should encourage this version of the game.” It is a very good stamina
training which does not require much equipments such as boots & stockings!
It is sure a welcome development for our teaming rugby enthusiast.
According to Mr. Williams who have just returned from the
World Rugby organized Educators Training Course held at the famous Ellis Park
in South Africa, “Beach Rugby was held just last week in Rio, Brazil with
International Rugby stars featuring. This was specifically meant to promote
Rugby Sevens’ debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics.”
The spectacular event was
supported by World Rugby and run by the Brazilian Rugby Union, the event
will delivered a fitting celebration of Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games
as men’s and women’s teams representing Argentina, Italy and host Brazil will
took centre stage at one of the world’s most iconic beach cities at its busiest
time of year.
According
to the World Rugby President Mr. Bernard Lapasset "We are excited about
the debut of rugby sevens at Rio 2016 and the growth opportunity provided by
showcasing our sport on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
"Rugby
sevens’ winning blend of high-octane action, close competition and
entertainment is proving a hit with young audiences, broadcasters and
commercial partners and I am confident that Rio will love sevens. This is why
we believe rugby sevens will be great for the Olympics, great for Brazil and
great for rugby.
You
are all cordially invited to come and celebrate this festive season with the
family on Saturday watching or playing Rugby.
This
years’ edition have so far received an overwhelming participating teams almost
doubling the maiden edition last year.
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