Delta Rugby Association chooses Egbuna as Patron

The Delta State Rugby Association (DSRA) has named Mr. Chukwudi Egbuna as its patron.

Conferring the position on Egbuna, the principal officers of the association, led by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Uwadibie Osadebe, the Head coach, Godwin Chibundu and the secretary, Joy Oyibo, said rugby had not gained popularity in the country because the people did not understand it.

Osadebe said rugby would gain grounds in the country if it was taken to primary and secondary schools to stimulate the interest of the youths.

He described rugby as a leading sport in the U.S., South Africa, England, and many other countries, saying it would not be bad to have it established in Nigeria.

Reacting to the honour bestowed on him, Egbuna said he would help the association to tackles its challenges.

He observed that one of the major problems of sports development in the country was lack of sponsorship, adding that most sports events were left for government, which has other major economic needs of the country to bear. Egbuna encouraged corporate and private partnerships with sports associations and events as it was done in Europe and developed countries.

Earlier, the secretary of the Association, Joy Oyibo in her opening speech, read out the association’s challenges and why they found Egbuna worthy to be their patron.

She listed some of the challenges confronting the association to include: sponsorship of competitions, provision of equipment, balls, jerseys, boots, training of technical crew, camping and training of officiating officers in South Africa, seminars for both officials and players.

Others, she said, were the production of rugby magazines and the creation of the Delta State Rugby website.