Organizers of the 3rd edition of the annual Nigerian Rugby Football Federation sanctioned Sandy Beach Rugby tournament have announced the 26th and 27th of December as the final date of the event taking place at La Cabana Bar, Elegushi Beach.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Turbo Crest Sports; Ayoola Tubosun Johnson, this year’s programme will be a 2 day event kicking of at 12:00 noon each day. “This time, we are having the event for two days. The first day 26th of December is for kids while the second day which is 27th is for adults”
Speaking further, Johnson said things are looking bright as some sponsors have shown interest in partnering with them following the successes recorded in the 1st and 2nd edition of the event which started in 2013.
Johnson, who doubles as Coach of Racing RFC thanked the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation under the leadership of Sir Edward Fom Pam for their support and the Vice President, Fasimoye Olatunji for being extremely philanthropic.
He acknowledged the support of Babaloke of La Cabana Bar in Elegushi who has gone out of his way to make his facilities available for the event.
He enjoined the general public to turn out in their hundreds for the 2015 edition which promises to be exciting, with the entire rugby fraternity getting excited and looking forward to the event.
Lagos State has the potential and capacity to be the next sports and tourism destination with careful planning with the sustainability of the current approach to sports in the State. These are the words of Bolaji Yusuf, Facility Manager of Onikan and Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos.
Yusuf stated that sports in the state have gone through lots of transformation in the last 8 years through various developmental Programmes which has led to remarkable progress exemplified by the discovery and nurturing of so many talented youths.
He submitted that if this can be sustained with continuous monitoring and evaluation in the coming years, Lagos can continue to provide leadership in Sport development.
Yusuf who is also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Beach and Futsal committee said that with proper usage of the existing facilities and provision of more of such across the state is capable of becoming a catalyst to economic and social development.
“Let us look at Beach soccer for example, if Lagos has a standard beach soccer stadium in either Badagry or Elegushi-Ikate area, who says Lagos cannot host the rest of Africa or even the World in beach soccer? At least we have seen that potential with Copa Lagos; meaning that Lagos can tap into the economic benefits of hosting such event. And don’t forget that the beach environment is always synonymous with tourism, so we will be attracting more attention to our beaches, while developing our sporting potentials in one swoop”. Yusuf noted.
Speaking on provision of facilities, He said Lagos should go the next step to developing sporting facilities in its schools to encourage more students participation in sports, giving room for a large pool of talents, while at the same time keep the Youth in school.
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 1 point, to claim the prize in the epic final.
Mr. Olatunbosun 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 & stockings! It is sure a welcome development for our teaming rugby enthusiast.
According to Mr. 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.
Owibesebe Celebrate their victory at the EkoFootball beach Soccer Tournament 2014
EkoFootball beach Soccer Tournament 2014: Owibesebe BSC Crowned Champions
Coach Kashimawo Laloko presenting A gift to the captain of Owibese BSC
Its Beach Soccer season here in Lagos, Nigeria and the Lagos FA kicked off activities for the new beach soccer season with a one day tournament that had defending champions of the Eko Beach Soccer League Owibesebe BSC battle against Bridge Boys Beach Soccer Team, Young Strikers Beach Soccer Team and Pepsi Football Academy Beach Soccer Team in a Four Team Tournament that took place at the Elegushi Beach in Lagos.
Owibese BSC
The First game of the day was between Owibesebe BSC and the Young Strikers BSC. Owibesebe didn’t not hesitate to put the Young Strikers BSC to the sword.
Two Quick fire goals in the early minutes of the first period set the tone for the game as Owibesebe Confirmed their superiority over Young Strikers. The game eventually ended 6-1 in favor of the Boys from Badagry.
Young Strikers BSC
The second game was no less exciting as the Pepsi Football Academy BSC drew first Blood but were made to pay heavily for this by the Bridge Boys who went on rampage putting seven past the Pepsi Goalie. The game ended 7-3 in favor of the Bridge Boys and this victory qualified them for the finals of the one day event versus Owibesebe BSC while Young strikers were now to battle Pepsi Academy BSC in the 3rd place play-offs.
Pepsi Football Academy BSC
The third place match saw Young strikers defeat Pepsi Academy BSC 4-2 and this was definitely a marked improvement on the first games both team had earlier played.
The final game was everything a final game should be, as Bridge Boys BSC and Owibesebe BSC didn’t waste time to show the spectators what stuff they were made off. Bridge Boys were the first off the mark with a stunning goal that left the Owibesebe Goalie Sprawling, But the Boys Badagry showed the mettle they were made off when they fought back from a goal down to level scores and eventually score one more to emerge champions of the EkoFootball Beach Soccer Tournament.
Bridge Boys BSC
A couple Off dignitaries were on hand to grace the occasion, chief among whom was the Commisioner of Sports Lagos State, Enitan Oshodi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Football Matters Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, First Vice Chairman Nigeria Football Federation And Chairman Lagos FA Seyi Akinwunmi, Vice Chairman Lagos FA Tade Azeez just to mention a few.
The Attention of Beach Soccer Lovers will now switch to the Eko Atlantic Beach, Venue of the Annual International Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship which Kicks Off on the 12th of December through to the 14th of December 2014.
The 2nd Season of the EkoFootball Beach Soccer League is expected to commence after the Copa Lagos International Beach Soccer Tournament
We’ve added few pictures from the 1 day tournament below:
Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, SA to Lagos Governor of Football Matters on the rightPepsi Football Academy BSCBridge Boys BSC
Owibese BSC Young Strikers BSCFemi Adetula and Colin Udoh of SupersportsAbu Azeez of Warri Wolves and the Super Sand Eagles with LSFA Board Member Wale JosephWahid Oshodi, Commissioner for Sports Lagos State Match Officials and captains of Owibesebe BSC and Bridge Boys BSC before the final match
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