NAN-S-4
Sport
By Idris Olukoya
Lagos, Oct.11, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman of Friends of Rugby Football, Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu, has appealed to the Federal Government to give equal attention to all sport disciplines to enable them to thrive.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the ultimate aim was to create a variety for sport lovers.
The rugby enthusiast added that even though the average Nigerian was more conversant with soccer, there were other sports that are equally interesting.
Mbagwu, who is the Managing Director, CMB Building, Maintenance and Investment Company Ltd., said that there was need for government to play a “fatherly’’ role.
“The Lagos State Government has been supporting the game for some years now; but it will need the involvement of the Federal Government to take the sport beyond its current level.
“I know that if government shows more commitment and interest in the game, it will become more popular than it is now,’’ he said.
The chairman applauded the Lagos State Government’s support for the successful hosting of the 2016 Independence Rugby 7s Tournament.
He said the tournament was an annual event organised by CMB Building, Maintenance and Investment Company Ltd, Friends of Rugby and Lagos State Government.
He expressed satisfaction with the successful hosting of this year’s competition and added that the 2017 edition would be better.
Mbagwu also thanked the teams that participated in the 2016 event, and congratulated the winner; Samurai Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Mr Deji Tinubu, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, has expressed the state government’s commitment to the promotion of sports in the state.
He told NAN that the goal was to create a sport culture to make Lagos a sports hub in Africa.
“Our support and participation in the 2016 Independence Rugby 7s event is in line with the state’s government objective for supporting sporting events in the city,’’ Tinubu said. (NAN)
SIO/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)