The Sandie Beach Rugby tournament has again re-activated the awareness and the global appeal the game played by the gentle men wields in Nigeria.
Many players, enthusiasts within and outside the country gathered at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex to celebrate another feast of rugby as the Sandie Beach Rugby reached a remarkable milestone.
Now in it’s 10th instalment, top clubs like Cowrie RFC, Racing RFC, Gosar RFC, Eco ll and Nigeria Falcons-an all-stars team as well as Ghanaian based side Accra RFC who were invited as one of the key teams, provided some rich fixtures for this edition.
The six teams were divided into Group A which comprises of Accra, Cowrie, ECO ll and Group B which was made up of Nigerian Falcons, Racing and Gosar.
With music, fun and excitement, the teams engaged one another in the 7’s tournament.
In the final, the Nigerian Falcons subdued their Ghanaian counterparts with a 12 -7 result to emerge as champions.
The second day saw both sides once again, locked horns in the Beach Rugby competition as they served up a colourful but engaging encounter to the admiration of the cheering fans including students of the foremost institution.
After 1-1 scoreline, the Nigerian Falcons won with a toss of a coin when both sides were inseparable after the much entertaining rugby showpiece.
An elated Tubosun Johnson who is the initiator of the Sandie Beach Rugby looked back into the past years and said he was glad the way the 10th edition turned out despite the challenges his team had to hurdle over.
“It wasn’t easy, but trying to achieve greatness is never easy,” he continued, “we thank God for everything ending well and a special vote of thanks to Mr Bob Arum, De-Gamma and the entire Accra rugby team for honouring Nigeria’s call to help bring our rugby back to life after the long ban placed on us.”
The country was recently re-admitted back into the global rugby family after it was sanctioned last year by the World Rugby.
He said he was full of gratitude to “the Nigerians in diaspora organization, Nigerian Breweries, Legend, Famboss Ltd, Mariteam Nigeria Ltd, Whassan NG Ltd for their support for without them, there will be no Sandie Beach Rugby.”
Johnson stated that their next plan is to see the tournament having it’s footprints in the West African coast.
He however urged individuals, corporate bodies and lovers of the sport in high and critical places to team up with his team on their desire to propel rugby to a global height.
“We need more support as achieving world standards requires major support” he said.
Day one: At the Yaba college of technology sports complex
Group A
Accra rugby rfc
Cowries rfc
Eco 2 rfc
Group B
Nigeria Falcons
Racing rfc
Gosar rfc
Semi final
Nigeria Falcons 21 Vs 5 Eco 2
Akeem Sunny Are
Daniel Mazi
Kareem
Accra Rugby 19 vs 5 Racing
Finals
Nigeria falcons 12 Vs 7 Accra Rugby
Quodri Kofi Montchon
Lati
Beach rugby Day 2:
Finals
Nigeria Falcons 1 Vs 1 Accra Rugby
Nigeria Falcons Winner
Determined by a coin toss
It wasn’t easy, but trying to achieve greatness is never easy. We thank God for everything ending well and a special vote of thanks to Mr Bob arum, De-Gamma and the entire Accra rugby team for honoring Nigeria’s call to help bring our rugby back to life after the long ban placed on us.
We also want to thank the Nigerians in diaspora organization, Nigerian Breweries, Legend, Famboss ltd, Mariteam Nigeria ltd, Whassan ng ltd for supporting. for without them there will be no sandie beach rugby. How ever we need more support as achieving world standards requires major support.
