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.
Johnson 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 and stockings! It is sure a welcome development for our teaming rugby enthusiast.
According to 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.
