Belhar RFC have announced the signing of Nigerian Rugby player, Christian Ogar also known as Star Boy by his friends and colleagues who currently play for Cowrie RFC Lagos in the South West League in Nigeria.
After being sported by scouts in the rugby olympic qualifying tournament held in Johannesburg South Africa in November 2015 , The South African club who plays in the Western Cape League in South Africa announced the deal in December 2015 after an agreement was reached with the player through his club.
The speed star who hails from Cross River State started his playing career with Plateau Tigers in Jos before moving to Lagos to join the current Southwest Rugby League Champions, Cowrie RFC, Ogar is due to fly out of Lagos on the 26th of January 2016.
Christian Ogar
Reacting to this development, the Technical Adviser of the Nigerian national rugby team, Bandele Coker described the move as a stepping stone for the player and also for the National team.
According to him, moving to South Africa will be good for the winger as this will enhance his chance of being selected to represent Nigeria again in the future.
The Nigeria Rugby Senior National team also known as the Black Stallions will depart tomorrow, Sunday, 8th of November for Johannesburg, South Africa for the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers.
7 home based players and 4 officials will depart Lagos from the Murtala Muhammed aboard a Kenyan Airways flight by 12:40pm Sunday 2015.
The delegation will be led by President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Edward Pam Fom alongside the Vice President, Fasimoye Olatunji, Bandele Coker (Technical Adviser) and Bukola Bojuwoye (Team Doctor) as part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, Head coach, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the team on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers on 14th & 15th of November 2015.
Speaking after their last training session on Saturday, the Technical Director of the Federation, Tunji Fasimoye revealed his optimism that the team will do well and might probably surprise the World.
He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co. Ltd for their unflinching support in making sure that funds were provided for the federation to facilitate their trip.
In his words, Fasimoye said, “Special kudos must go to Kelechi Mbagwu, Chairman, CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited for his support.”
“We went to Zambia for the Cup 1C and Togo for the pre-Olympics qualifiers earlier this year with little or no support from the National Sports Commission, CMB came to our rescue and provided the necessary financial backing to make it possible”.
“Months after our trip to Togo, here we are about to travel to South Africa, nothing from the NSC once again. If not for CMB, this trip would not have been possible”
Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B, alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Zimbabwe are favorites to advance from Pool B.
In line with their promise and drive to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Technical Committee has released a strong 14 man list for next month’s qualifiers in South Africa.
Arising from their technical meeting held on Tuesday in Lagos, the federation listed Nigeria’s rugby golden boy and speedster, Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC), Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC), Alfred Oche (Jos RFC), Onoru Oyiza Jatto (Cowrie RFC), Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC), Hafis Ayinla (Cowrie RFC) as part of the team to be captained by Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC).
Determined to have a blend of homegrown and foreign base players, 3 players were invited from the United Kingdom, 2 from the United States of America and 1 from South Africa, most of whom were discovered at the recently held President Cup international invitational tournament The Onwukanjo brothers may be in line to feature for the national team together for the first time following the decision of the federation to extend an invitation to Onyinye Onwukanjo (Davenport University Rugby, USA) and Ike Onwukanjo (USA Northeast Olympic Academy).
Other foreign based players are Omotohunola Odulaja (Old Blues RFC, UK), Ayomide Joseph Mogaji (Doking RFC UK), Danjuma Mshelia (Richmond RFC, UK) and Thankgod Okafor (Sharks RFC South Africa)
In a statement made available to the federation’s media department, NRFF Technical Direstor, Fasimoye Olatunji, Technical Adviser, Bandele Coker and Team Doctor, Bukola Bojuwoye will be part of the 19 man delegation to South Africa.
The delegation which will be led by President of the federation, Edward Pam Fom will leave Lagos on the 8th of November for the tournament slated for the 14th and 15th of November Johannesburg.
Head coach and South African Rugby 7s legend, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the Local boys in Johannesburg on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers.
Nigerian Rugby team the Black Stallions,
Nigeria is drawn alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia in Pool B.
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