Knights Of Racing Emerge 2015 Champion Of Sandie Rugby

It was a weekend to remember as TurboCrest Sports and La Cabana Lounge entertained Lagosians to an amazing weekend of gravity defying rugby at the 2015 edition of the Sandie Beach rugby fiesta.

The 2 day event kicked off on the 26th of December with kids from schools around the Island converging at La Cabana lounge to enjoy a wonderful day of tag rugby, All Stars defeating the Island Seahawks by 4 tries to 2 to emerge as the inaugural champions while Agborodo Abuka was named the SBR player of the tournament.

Day 2 witnessed an amazing display of transition play amongst home and international teams from Benin Republic, the tournament saw amateur side, Kels RFC qualify as table toppers in Group A while South West league side Gosar RFC emerged second; In Group B, The knights of Racing qualified top of the group and amateur side Gazelles came 2nd. The first semi finial witnessed a shocker as the young Gazelles knocked out team Kels who were the defending champions while the 2013 champions, Knights of Racing defeated hapless Gosar by 4 tries to 1 in the second semi finals.

The final between Gazelles and the Racing Knights took fans on a roller coaster ride with Gazelles going 2 tries up in the first half; the knights fought back to draw the game in the second half, but proceedings went the way of the knights through a last minute try from festus Nwasor. Racing’s Mike Eneji emerged as player of the tournament.

Organiser of the event, Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson and C.E.O of TurboCrest Sports expressed his gratitude to God, PZ Cussons, GlaxoSmithKline, My Family mobile, the rugby fraternity and the general public for trooping out to witness the event, he also thanked the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Vice President, Olatunji Fasimoye for his generous support and assistance towards the event.

He promised that the next edition will be bigger and better as sandie beach has come to stay in Nigeria

Turbocrest Sports/La Cabana Lounge Partners NRFF For 2015 Sandie Beach Rugby Fiesta

The Management of Turbocrest sports and La Cabana lounge, have declared that all is now set for the 2015 edition of the Sandie beach Rugby carnival as the rugby fraternity in Lagos state are fast catching the frenzy.

According to Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson, CEO of Turbocrest sports, this year’s edition promises be a blast as a lot of effort is being made to ensure rugby lovers and the general public witness Beach rugby at a grand scale at the exquisite La Cabana Longue owned by Chief Babaloke who has displayed an amazing level of philanthropy towards the cause.

Ayo who also double as Manager of Racing RFC Lagos, and Head Coach of the All Rugby Schools Elite Development Program, said the 2 days event slated for the 26th and 27th of December promises to be better than last year as elite club sides, and neighboring countries as far as Ghana and Benin republic have shown interest in this year’s edition.

Apart from the rubgy matches for kids and professionals, the event will witness side attractions, with the 2011/2012 Glo rock and rule, / Silverbird rhythm invasion winner Sixtus Ohans( aka SIX), performing at the event with La Cabana Longue, providing refreshments at the most affordable prices.

Sandie Beach Rugby Lagos, photo credit: Sandiebeachrugby Lagos

He also hinted that games such as treasure hunt, tug of war, arm wrestling, eating/drinking contest, and rugby drills, will entertain the crowds with prizes provided by PZ Cussons, My Family Mobile, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Balloons, face painting, horseback riding, cotton candy, barbecue, and more will be available for all to celebrate the festive season as one big happy family.

Ayo finally thanked the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation for their huge support towards the initiative, and lauded the wonderful effort the federation is making towards expanding rugby in Nigeria.

Rugby Stakeholders Charts Way Forward During 2015 AGA

Rugby stakeholders yesterday gathered at the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Lagos to evaluate their 2015 score card and forge a way forward as 2016 beckons.

The Annual General Assembly chaired by the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam had in attendance member of the NRFF executive board, club representatives from all the regions and members of the press.

At the meeting, the president lamented the non-availability of funds which really affected their 2015 projections as he urged all stakeholders to make the needed sacrifices to ensure the growth of the sport in the country.

Also present at the meeting was the main sponsor of the federation, Kelechi Mbagwu, the MD/CEO of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited.

Kelechi praised the federation for their accountability, transparency and the ability to hold firm in the face of daunting challenges in a difficult financial year for government, corporate world and individuals.

Kelechi who doubles as the Chairman, Sponsorship and Marketing Committee of the federation proposed sanctions for clubs who fail to show up at the annual AGA as he appealed to the league committee to help financially distressed clubs and regions.

Meanwhile, the Technical Director announced a get into rugby program for coaches, referees and interested members of the public who wish to participate in the sports as a referee, administrators or coach.

He stated that Sports Writers will also benefit from the training as series of seminars will be organised to help journalists have a better understanding of the game to help them in their reportage.

At the AGM, the secretary of the referees association, Muhammed Salisu was elected as the coordinator of the association while Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson was elected the secretary by the general assembly.

For the Coaches Association, former Nigerian international, Ofoha Joseph was elected as the coordinator and Samson Okeowo elected as secretary. The coordinators were charged with the task of coming up with an effective operational strategies, Odionyemma Teduse Chukwuma was appointed as the NRFF Operation’s Officer while Afolabi Oni was officially appointed as the Media Officer of the Federation.

Olatunbosun Plays Up Cowrie/Racing Rugby Football Club Rivalry

Ahead of this weekend’s clash between Racing Rugby Football Club and Cowrie RFC in the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited/ South West Rugby league, Head coach of Racing, Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson has boasted that his team is always ready to come against any team.

Speaking after their evening training session on Wednesday, the ex-coaching coordinator for grassroots development, Lagos said Racing has a reputation to protect because they are the best rugby club in the country despite Cowries doing very well with couple of points clear on top of the South West league table after an impressive start to the season.

“I believe that with the spirit in camp plus our recent game pattern and records, we should be able to get a surprise win against Cowrie RFC on Saturday.”

Although many people describe our recent form as “medicine after death” but we want to maintain our second spot on the table and play in the national finals taking place in Abuja later this year.

He lamented the elongation of the 2014 league calendar which spilled into 2015 due to the breaks that normally comes in with mixing up international events with the domestic ones but acknowledged that the board is doing a great job.

Racing Fly half; Ekpo Williams in action during a South West Rugby league game

“I must give thumbs up to the NRFF Technical Director Tunji Fasimoye for the great job he is doing as per the South West Rugby league, and I think he is doing exceptionally well”

In other matches to be played on Saturday, third placed team, Police RFC will take on Eco II RFC while fourth placed Gosar RFC of Ajegunle will hope to fend off the surge of fifth placed Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin.