2022 Rugby 10’s tournament is set to kicks off at the Parkage B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday. It is the first ever 10’s tournament to be hostel in Abuja in over 20 years.
The matches which include the men’s full-contact games and
Development Teams (made up of ladies, under 18-year-old-boys, and new players) playing touch will take place from the afternoon of Friday and all day Saturday at the Old cricket pitch.
They will be a revamped format with a special feature of Ladies 7’s full contact game AND an earlier finish allowing an after-party at the event venue, shortly after the awards ceremony.
However, ARFC President, Richard Abrakson has expressed joy in hosting the event stating: “We have been training hard for this tournament and can’t wait to welcome some of Nigeria’s best rugby players to our city, Abuja, the city of unity. This is apt because our club is a community of players from diverse backgrounds. I am sure everyone will see that after some fierce competitions, all the players from Abuja rugby club and from across Nigeria will be united and friends – as often are the case with rugby players around the world.”
He noted that, the match schedule reflects how ARFC promotes both rugby and inclusion within the sport, while noticing that ARFC prioritizes player welfare by ensuring first aiders are present and all teams can leave
early on Sunday avoiding dangerous road travel in the dark on their return journeys.
“Abuja Rugby Football Club (ARFC) is proudly hosting the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament bringing together teams from across Nigeria to compete for the title of Abuja Abuja 10s Champion in the different categories, and take home a trophy and prize money for the 1st and 2nd and 3rd place.
On his part, the ARFC captain, Michael Egirani ‘Don Michelino’ said, “To further growth and raise the profile of rugby in Nigeria, ARFC is taking the bold step of hosting the first nationwide 10s tournament in Abuja in May to showcase the grassroots talents and the passion Nigeria’s youth hasve for the game of rugby”.
The tournament which is aimed in promoting rugby in Nigeria and celebrate the skills of Nigerian teams is expecting over 1,000 spectators over the weekend.
Meanwhile, ARFC Coach, Daniel Nicolle, said “With the first tournament in Abuja in over 20yrs, in the first ever 10’s tournament in Abuja.
ARFC are looking forward to uniting Nigerian teams at the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament 2022.”