The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has responded to the exclusion of rugby from the 2025 National Sports Festival (NSF) by announcing plans to refocus its efforts on grassroots development, national competitions, and the revival of the domestic rugby league.
Speaking to Sports247 in Abeokuta on the development, NRFF Chief Operating Officer, Tunde Delu, described the omission as disappointing but said the federation would use it as motivation to restrategize.
He stated that the NRFF would intensify efforts to organize more grassroots tournaments and create new opportunities for athletes across the country.
Delu also confirmed that the federation is working to organize more fixtures for the national teams and implement a roadmap for restarting the national rugby league.
He emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum despite setbacks, noting that the federation will continue to push for greater visibility and support for the sport nationwide.
The NRFF has already unveiled a comprehensive calendar of events for 2025, including regional leagues, youth tournaments, coaching clinics, and international competitions.
Among the key highlights are the Rugby Rising grassroots initiative across 15 states, national youth sevens tournaments, and preparations for the Africa Cup Sevens in Mauritius.
In addition, the NRFF has launched initiatives like the Hon. Tunde Delu Abeokuta Rugby Cup to promote the sport at local levels and identify emerging talent.
The federation maintains that these activities are part of a broader mission to grow rugby from the ground up, aiming to make it a key component of Nigeria’s sports landscape in the years ahead.
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