The Abuja Barracks School’s Sport Rugby Clinic, which commenced on May 9-11, 2018, has successfully ended.
The Point gathered that the Chief of Defence Staff approved the hosting of the first edition of the event which was aimed at discovering new talent and fostering the spirit of sportsmanship among the kids.
General Manager of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, James Goode responded to an invitation sent by Brig. Gen Maikano following a courtesy visit made in April to Defense Headquarters by NRFF President, Kelechukwu Mbagwu in that regard.
Children were drawn from 6 primaries and six secondary schools according to the organizers, NRFF.
The NRFF provided rugby coaches and conducted taster sessions to children aged 8-18 years old. The NRFF witnessed a splendid three-day sporting event at the army barracks.
Speaking further on the event, James Goode was full of praise about the strong crop of future athletes discovered.
“I was very impressed with the overall athleticism of both boys and girls. I was also pleasantly surprised with how quickly these youths picked up the game of rugby union with little or no previous exposure to it.
“It just goes to show how important it is for the sport of rugby union to attract people from a young age. The PT coaches from the Army, NRFF technical Director Ntiense Williams and Coaches Ayotunde Olushuyi and Simon Joseph and many of the senior ranking officials present observed the relevance of rugby training to soldiers.
“We look forward to a strong partnership in the future with the Nigerian Armed Forces,” he said.
Following the conclusion of sporting activities, awards were presented by Air Vice Marshall EO Alebi representative of the Chief of Defence Staff and Air Vice Marshall Adeluwoye, Director of Sport, Defence HQ.
