Judgement day: Teams Battles For Independence Seven’ Slot

 

As the organisers of this year’s independence Rugby 7’s tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co. Ltd have announced Sunday, 24^th of August 2014 as the judgment day for teams that are going to participate in the annual rugby event staged to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary since  2009.

 According to the Organisers, the Southwest region has been allotted 5 team slots in which 2013 finalists, Police Machines and Cowrie RFC were awarded automatic spots at this year’s tournament with the remaining three playoff spots will be determined between six other teams; Lagos RFC, Racing RFC, Gosar RFC, Hawkster Athletic, Eco II and Royal Stalions of Ilorin will be held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where pretenders will be weeded from contenders.

From all indications, the playoff became necessary as due to expression of Interests from European, South African and West African teams which will increase this year’s international representation as never witnessed before

 The Friends of Rugby organised event has grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in Nigeria with the 2013 edition enjoying a better and wider participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour

However, clubs from every zones in Nigeria competed extremely well and we witnessed two local teams in last year’s final with the Police Rugby Football club of Lagos beating Cowrie RFC 12-7 to emerge 2013 champions.

According to the organisers, this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better with eleven local team and five international teams expected to battle for the trophy, at the Onikan stadium between the 10^th and 11^th of October 2014

 

Northern clubs will also battle to claim three slots allocated to the region while South South, South East region and the Capital territory clubs will play for alot each in the event