Former Super Eagles’ striker, Efan Ekoku’s older brother, Abagi Bienose Ekoku (aka Abi) has been appointed as the new interim chief executive of English Rugby Super League club, St Helens.
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Sports247 reports that the older Ekoku, who was up till this week the chief executive of England’s Rugby Football League (RFL), becomes St Helens’ new CEO following the departure of Mike Rush in February.
While his younger brother, Efangwu Goziem Ekoku was a football striker, who played for Nigeria at the 1994 editions of both the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup, the older sibling was an athlete and rugby league player.
During his active days, Abi Ekoku represented England in shot put and discus events before he played rugby for London Broncos, Halifax and Bradford Bulls.
After excelling in active rugby, with a handful of national appearances for England, Ekoku retired in 1998 and quickly went into management, starting as chairman of Rugby League Players’ Association.
He left the post in 1999 to become the managing director at Keighley Cougars, after which he was appointed by Bradford Bulls as their chief executive officer.
He was with Bradford from 2000 to 2003, time in which he led them through a golden period in the club’s history, with two Super League titles, two Challenge Cup finals and reaching the World Club Championship.
“Excellence, resilience, ambition and flair are the foundations that have made St Helens the most successful club of the Super League. I feel profoundly honoured and excited to be entrusted with the opportunity to forge new pathways.
“I can’t wait to embrace the incredible energy of our staff, supporters and partners, new and old, as we collaborate to write the next chapter together,” Ekoku enthused.
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