Lagos State schools set to battle for Governor’s Cup Rugby 7s title
The Lagos State Rugby Association (LRSA) has announced the launch of its inaugural Governor’s Cup, an inter-school rugby 7s competition for secondary schools across the state.
The tournament, scheduled for October 18-19 at CMS Grammar School, Bariga, will feature fifteen schools competing in the U18 and U15 age categories, with both boys’ and girls’ teams participating.
The LRSA, in partnership with Ibudó Rugby Association, is organizing the Governor’s Cup to foster teamwork and sportsmanship among secondary school students. The tournament is also seen as a vital component of the LRSA’s rugby development plan for schools in the state.
In a press release made available to Made In Africa Sport, the Chairman of the Lagos State Rugby Association, Hon. Olarinde Williams, emphasized that the tournament is a vital component of the rugby development plan within schools in the state.
“The Lagos State Rugby Association in collaboration with Ibudó Rugby Association are proud to present the inaugural inter-schools Rugby 7’s tournament,” Hon. Williams said. “This competition is as a direct result of our strategy to develop and expand the sport of rugby in schools across the state’s five divisions.”
“This tournament provides an excellent platform for the schools that have already benefited from our program to showcase their progress and inspire more schools to join in.
“We extend our gratitude to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and support for sports development in the state,” Hon. Williams continued.
“We also appreciate and commend the efforts and support of the Lagos State Sports Commission, including its Chairman, Director General, Director of Schools Sports, and Director of Sports Development, our sponsors The Rotary Club, Lekki Golden and Poscari Isotonic, as well as many others who have contributed significantly to make this inaugural competition a reality.
“We have high hopes that this tournament will be a resounding success, contributing significantly to the growth of rugby in Lagos State,” he concluded.
The Governor’s Cup is expected to be a major event for rugby in Lagos State and could help raise the sport’s profile among young people. It is also a chance for schools to showcase their rugby talents and compete for top honours.
According to Michael Ogunbiyi, Chairman of the Ibudó Rugby Association, “Ibudó Rugby Association is delighted to be leading the charge in the development of rugby in Lagos. We are pleased to have initiated this partnership with LASG, with our coaches actively engaged in mentoring kids. Prior to this, we’ve organized two sets of exhibition tournaments in 7-a-sides, but this marks the first full-contact competition.”
“The Ibudó Rugby Association takes great pride in spearheading the development of rugby in Lagos, thanks to its collaboration with the Lagos State Rugby Association. With a commitment to developing the game of rugby in schools, Ibudó and the State Rugby Association coaches now visit 15–20 schools every week, a number that continues to grow.”
Expressing optimism about the future, he added, “With adequate funding for rugby in Lagos from the state, I believe the state and indeed Nigeria can thrive as a rugby nation. This would enable Ibudó and Team Lagos to concentrate on nurturing young talents, producing elite players for the nation.”
