Other Sports
GHANA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP INTRODUCES WOMEN’S LEAGUE IN HISTORIC MATCHES
The Ghana Rugby Championship kicked off in Cape Coast on Saturday with the first official Women’s Sevens GRCC in the history of Ghana Rugby
Four women’s teams, Conquerors Ladies, Cosmos Buffalos Ladies, Griffons Ladies and Dansoman Hurricanes Ladies, competed in the first match day to eventually become the 2017/18 GRCC Women’s Sevens Champions on 17 February 2018.
The first match was played between Cosmos Ladies and Conquerors Ladies which ended in a 0-0 draw. Dansoman Ladies beat Griffons Ladies 5 to 0 in the second women’s sevens match.
According to Rafatu Inusha, Board Member: Women’s Representative of the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), it was a great day for all teams.
“We saw a very challenging display by Dansoman Ladies when they were playing against Griffons Ladies. It was their very first time playing Rugby, and they defended and attacked well, even though their ball handling was not flowing, but in time they will be good to go,” Inusah said.
Inusah continued to say, “I am pleased because every team played with excitement and were all happy with the opportunity given to them.”
“This initiative will encourage other women to get on board with rugby and also get a chance to play for the National Team.”
Match officiating for the Women’s Sevens matches were handled by Ernest Amewu and Benson Nortey Botchwey.
The President and Board Chairman of Ghana Rugby, Herbert Mensah, said that this historic event will go down as one of his administration’s biggest achievements since taking office on 5 June 2014.
“From the very first strategic blueprint in 2014 the development of Women’s Rugby was placed close to the top of the long list of challenges. This introduction of an official Women’s Sevens Championship is the first step of great things to come for Women’s Rugby in Ghana and indeed in the West African Region,” Mensah said.
In the Men’s 15s Club Championship eight teams started the road to Championship, namely: Pool A – Conquerors Sporting Club, Accra Rugby Club, Dansoman Hurricanes RFC and Griffons RFC. Pool B – Dennis Foundation SC, UCC Spartans RFC, Western Cheetahs RFC, and Lions RFC. Two teams, Cosmos Buffalos RFC and Stallions RFC had a bye weekend and did not play.
Although it is early days Conquerors lead the 2017/18 GRCC table with five points after beating Dansoman Hurricanes 31 points to 0. The match was officiated by Clement Dennis.
In the second Pool A match Accra Rugby Club (13) beat the Cape Coast team Griffons (5) by 8 points to deny the home team a bonus point. The match referee was Ishmael Adamah.
In Pool B matches Dennis Foundation triumphed by beating Lions 10 to 0 while UCC Spartans beat their local Cape Coast rivals Western Cheetahs with a narrow 5 to 3 margin. The two matches were respectively officiated by Prince Odoom and Ernest Amewu.
The second match day of the 2017/18 GRCC will take place on Saturday 2 December 2017 in Cape Coast at the Robert Mensah and Accra Sports stadiums. The Women’s Sevens matches will all be played in Cape Coast.
Men’s 15s Results
Pool A
Conquerors 31 – 0 Dansoman Hurricanes
Accra Rugby Club 13 – 5 Griffons RFC
Pool B
Dennis Foundation 10 – 0 Lions
UCC Spartans 5 – 3 Western Cheetahs
Women’s 7s Results
Conquerors 0 – 0 Cosmos Buffalos
Dansoman Hurricanes 5 – 0 Griffons
Match Officials
Referees: Ishmael Adamah, Clement Dennis, Ernest Amewu, Prince Odoom and Benson Nortey Botchwey. Assistant Referees: Kobby Asenso Brobbey
Scorers
Tries: Yusif Jalilu (2 Conquerors), Penalty Try (Dennis Foundation), Daniel Kakraba Koka (1 UCC Spartans), Mohammed Rabiu (1 Conquerors), Jason Dzata (1 Conquerors), Andre Hammond (1 Conquerors), Kelvin Bosomtwe (1 Griffons), Eric Tettegah (1 Accra Rugby Club)
Try and Penalty Conversions: Mohammed Rabiu (3 Conquerors), Nathaniel Darlington Addy ( 3 Accra Rugby Club), Dominic Smith (1 Dennis Foundation), Iddrisu Umaru (1 Western Cheetahs)
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has praised the growing involvement of Ibom Air in sports development, describing the airline as an exemplary corporate citizen whose contributions are helping to strengthen sports in the state.
Governor Eno gave the commendation on Saturday during activities marking the seventh anniversary of Ibom Air, following the final of a football tournament organised by the airline at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Represented by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, the governor applauded the airline’s increasing support for football, golf and tennis, noting that its intervention had positively impacted sports development in the state.
“It pleases me to know that you are not only riding the skies in aviation, but also distinguishing yourself as an exemplary corporate citizen,” the governor stated.
“Your intervention in golf, tennis and, most recently, football is worth commending.”
Governor Eno particularly highlighted the airline’s contribution to football and tennis in the state, stating that its sponsorship nearly helped Akwa United regain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He also credited the airline’s support for the success of the Akwa Ibom tennis team at the recently concluded Niger Delta Games in Benin City, where the state won three of the five gold medals on offer in tennis.
While congratulating the airline on its seventh anniversary, Governor Eno described Ibom Air as a symbol of the Akwa Ibom spirit of excellence, professionalism and innovation in the aviation sector.
According to him, the airline’s operational standards and recent expansion into international routes within the West African sub-region have strengthened connectivity, boosted commerce and tourism, and contributed to the state’s economic growth.
“The achievements recorded within this relatively short period have stood out as an eloquent testament to the hard work and foresight of your airline’s dedicated leadership and focused workforce,” he said.
“This anniversary marks not only the celebration of years, but the celebration of vision, resilience, professionalism and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.”
The football tournament organised to celebrate the airline’s anniversary lasted over two weeks and culminated in a dramatic final at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The Lagos team of Ibom Air emerged champions after defeating their Uyo counterparts 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
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The stage is set for the 3rd National Para Games, Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious para sports event, scheduled to hold from March 26 to April 3, 2026, in Abuja.
For nine days, the nation’s capital will host more than 3,000 athletes representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing across 15 different sports in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, excellence and inclusion. Organisers say champions will emerge, records will tumble, and new chapters will be written in Nigeria’s para sports history.
The Games are being organised by the National Sports Commission, which describes the event as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity and the advancement of para sports development across the country.
Since its inception, the National Para Games has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, spotlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes living with disabilities while reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive participation in sports.
Officials say the 2026 edition will surpass previous outings in scale, organisation and competitive intensity. With participation confirmed from every state of the federation and the FCT, the Games are expected to reveal the depth of talent spread nationwide and provide a pathway for standout performers to progress to continental and global competitions.
In a significant boost to preparations, the National Youth Service Corps has partnered with the Commission by releasing its Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, to serve as the official Games Village. The facility will accommodate athletes and officials throughout the competition, offering a secure and community-focused environment designed to foster camaraderie and peak performance.
The collaboration reflects a broader inter-agency commitment to empowering young Nigerians and promoting social integration through sport. It also underscores growing national recognition of para athletes as integral contributors to Nigeria’s sporting success.
With anticipation building and logistics nearing completion, Abuja is poised to welcome thousands of competitors and supporters for what promises to be a defining celebration of courage, competition and collective pride.
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By Keresifon Essien
Akwa Ibom State will parade a strong contingent of about 280 athletes and 44 officials at the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 28.
The State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Curator of Keresy Sports Museum (KSM), Keresifon Essien, noting that Team Akwa Ibom will compete in 16 sporting events at the regional multi-sports fiesta.
According to Bassey, the sports in which the state will feature include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and chess.
To ensure optimal preparation, the state government has constituted a five-man State Liaison Committee to oversee arrangements for the festival. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
Other members of the committee are Coach Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Head of Technical; Guinness World Record holder George Essien; Edidiong Stephen, a member; and Mfon Bassey, who serves as Secretary.
Bassey explained that the committee has been mandated to fine-tune all preparations for the festival, beginning with the state trials scheduled for this weekend, and to ensure that the contingent arrives in Benin City fully prepared and ready to project Akwa Ibom State positively at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He expressed confidence that with proper planning and early preparations, Team Akwa Ibom will make a strong impression when the festival proper begins.
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