…vows to popularise Rugby in Edo
The Chairman of the Edo State Rugby Association Board, Comrade Sunny Osayande, has showered praise on the victorious Edo female Rugby team for winning the first National Rugby Tournament which was held between 15 and 17, July 2023 in Asaba, promising to promote the game of Rugby in the state.
The Edo Rugby Board Chairman, Comrade Sunny Osayande, Managing Director of Big Joe Ventures Nig. Ltd. was speaking during the grand reception ceremony he organized for the victorious Edo female Rugby team in Benin.
He promised to uplift the standard of Rugby athletes in Edo State in terms of kitting and other welfare needs.
According to Comrade Sunny: “From now on, there is going to be a positive change. You will from now on see me often and feel my presence in all that you do to promote Rugby.
“I did say from the day of our inauguration into Edo Rugby Association Board that we are going to be known for excellence. This is the beginning of better things to come for Edo State Rugby.
“We are ready to promote and popularise the game of Rugby in Edo State. We have started well and we will continue to encourage our coaches and athletes to enable them to give their best.
Sunny noted: “Today, we are celebrating success because our athletes have made us proud. I commend the team for the great feat in Asaba which came from hard work and dedication. I congratulate you all. It is not easy to be ranked first in any national tournament.
“I am very happy. In spite of little or no support to the team going into the national championship, they came out victorious.
He added: “I want to assure you that it is now going to be a different experience. You now have my hundred percent support. I and my Board members have discussed and we are beginning with provision of two sets of jerseys for our team and we have also mandated some of our members to visit the training ground provided by Edo State Government to see how we can compliment Government efforts.
“We want to see how quickly we can provide changing room which they have complained about. It is not convenient and conducive for female athletes to train in an open field where they have no access to changing room.”
Earlier in an address, the head coach of the Edo Rugby team, Mr. Obong Williams Ntiense, who expressed his team’s appreciation of comrade Osayande’s kind gesture said he has confidence in the ability of their Board Chairman to turn things around for Rugby in Edo state.
“After many months of training without competition, we had the opportunity of going outside our state for the first national female Rugby tournament and won it. We didn’t just win, but we did it like Bendel Insurance who finished the 2023 FA Cup without tasting any defeat.
“We had the opportunity to tell our Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu when he received us last week and we made him to know some of the challenges we face which include the lack of changing room and seating terrace at our training ground. With the Sports loving Deputy Governor and our Chairman, Comrade Sunny Osayande, backing us, we are confident that our problems are over,” Obong said.
The captain of Edo female Rugby, Adebimpe Johnson, while also appreciating their Board Chairman, said that the grand reception Comrade Sunny Osayande accorded the team was a morale booster.
“This is the first time we are having a Board Chairman that is making us proud,” Adebimpe remarked.
She appealed to Comrade Sunny Osayande to do something about the changing room at their training ground.
