By Grace Ekujumi, Lagos
Twelve teams will participate in the forthcoming National Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament holding in Asaba, Delta state next weekend.
The two-day tournament which is scheduled to take off on the 15th through 16th of July, 2023 will see 12 women teams from across the country and clubs participating in the championship.
Ahead of the tournament, four teams from South East have confirmed their participation which are: Eastern Springbok, RFC Anambra; Abia State Rugby FC, Abia; Coal City Angeles RFC Enugu and Heartland Pyramid Rugby team, Imo State.
From Lagos, Nigeria Police Rugby Club, Ikeja; Gosar Rugby Club, Navy Barracks, Apapa and Eco II Rugby Club, Navy Barracks, Apapa have stepped up their preparations in readiness for the championship while from North Central – Benue Buffalo Rugby Club Makurdi, Benue State have signified their readiness while in South South,Team Edo Rugby Club are good to go.
From the North-West are: Barewar Rugby Club, Kano; Zaria Rugby Club, Kaduna while from North–East Yankari Rugby Club are ready to make a push for the trophy.
The tournament which was initially scheduled for July 1-2 was moved due to national team engagement in Mauritius. The teams will now slug it out in Asaba which is the first championship for women since the national sports festival.
Nigeria women rugby team missed out of the pre-Olympic qualifiers in Zambia due to the fact that they just returned from World Rugby ban and unavailability of slots.
