Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, is sponsoring the Lagos iTRY Rugby coaching scheme for secondary school students in Lagos because of the International Olympic Committee plan to include sevens rugby as a new team sport in the 2016 Olympics,
According to CEO, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Mr. Babajide Afolabi at the finals of the Lagos Rugby 7s tournament, Promasidor is currently sponsoring 30 public schools and five private schools in the I-Try Rugby development programme in Lagos.
“Since the announcement by the International Olympic Committee that sevens rugby will be the new team sport at the 2016 Olympics, it has become imperative that we develop schools rugby. With this, Promasidor has decided to sponsor 30 public schools and five private schools in the I-Try rugby development programme in Lagos.”
At the recently concluded Lagos Rugby 7s tournament, two of the Promasidor Nigeria sponsored schools, the American International School, Lagos and CMS Grammar School Lagos played a demonstration seven-a-side ‘touch’ rugby game.
In the “touch rugby” a two handed touch replaces a full contact tackle. When a player in possession of the ball is touched by both hands above the waist by a member of the opposing team the referee blows the whistle and the ball is handed to the opposition who begin play again from the spot of the touch.
Rugby, Mr. Afolabi said helps build character and values such as teamwork, discipline, respect for the laws, and respect for the match officials for this reason it is considered vital in the school curriculum.
Stating reasons why the schools were picked to play in the tournament, The Head Youth Development, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Mr. Chukwudum Ejikeme, said it will provide an opportunity for the kids to learn more about the game.
“The game helps the kids a lot, though not as tough as that of adults since it’s the “touch” rugby, it teaches the kids the significance of teamwork and helps to build their intellect as it involves lots of mental calculation. This year we decided to have two of the schools Promasidor is sponsoring participate in the Lagos Rugby 7s tournament and then we decided to put the public school, CMS grammar school, Lagos and a private school, the American International School so they could learn more about the game from the adults as well as showcase what they have learnt. Hopefully we will have more schools that are ready by the next tournament.”
Ejikeme further said that the Promasidor iTRY Rugby scheme will aid the development of the existing rugby structure in Nigeria as these kids can be trained into representing the country at the international level.
“The Lagos programme with the support of Promasidor will hopefully carry on forever, especially after the Lagos schools’ league kick off. Their support will also help us to develop one of Africa’s largest youth coaching programmes.
The developmental plan is to replicate the programme in all other 35 states. In 2016, Rugby Sevens will be an Olympic sport and it will give a lot of these children the opportunity to represent their country (Nigeria) in a prestigious competition. The scheme has been formed to ensure the sustainability of youth rugby in public and private schools throughout Lagos state,” he added.
He also made known that foreign coaches were brought in to teach the Nigerian coaches as they are all certified by the International Rugby Board.
“We have IRB trained coaches that the International Rugby Board. People from the IRB came this year and trained 29 coaches so they have coaching badges and have the IRB certificate. Learning is learning and there is always a process to it and the coaches are competent,” he said.
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