By Chinedu Nwosu
Rugby Football players in Nigeria have every reason to be cheer during tis coronavirus virus pandemic as the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF)has moved to ensure their difficulties are assuaged at this time through the donation of palliatives to them.
Federation president, Kelechukwu Mbagwu said palliatives became necessary due to the difficulties players were passing through in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ikana Mbora presented the palliatives to players at the National Stadium in Lagos.
NRFF Players Representative and Board Member, Gbenga Adeniran says the support will go to the most vulnerable players across all the active clubs across the country starting with Lagos team.
“As you know, there are seven active Rugby clubs in Lagos competing in the National League. Many of the players are not working while few of the players that are working are not earning a lot. We are providing these food packages to players to help them through the coronavirus crisis. We are also using this medium to reach out to corporates to partner with the NRFF in reaching more players with basic foodstuffs to help them through the lockdown period, ” he said.
Nigeria’s Center For Disease Control May 28 said 8,915 COVID-19 cases had been confirmed, 2,592 cases had been discharged and 259 deaths had been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
At the daily briefing, Minister of State at the Education Ministry touched on reopening of schools while his counterpart at the Health Ministry also said the ministry was developing sector specific advisories for the reopening of various sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Youth & Sports, Sunday Dare May 29 set up an 11-man committee to look at a new possible date for the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival within the year. The festival was postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic about three days to its commencement in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The 11-man committee, which is made up of members of the COVID-19 Task Force (NCDC), Commissioners of Sports from the six geo-political zones of the country and representatives of the Sports Ministry, is headed by the chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tony Okowa.
NRFF Players Rep Adeniran further advised the players to keep in shape during this period as the National Sports Festival could go ahead soon.
The General Secretary NRFF, Victor Anusa said the leadership of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation would continue to support the growth, development and most importantly the players of the game.
