Lagos Bulls Win 2024 Golden 9’s Rugby League Tournament

Posted : 21 May 2024

Lagos Bulls Rugby Football Club emerged as the champions of the 2024 Golden 9’s Rugby League Tournament, which was held at the Navy Barrack playground, Ajegunle, Lagos.

It was a celebration galore for the Lagos Rugby team following their remarkable performance displayed at the just-concluded tourney.

The one-day event was organized by Ibudo Rugby Football Association in collaboration with Shakirat Wuraola Hussain.

Lagos Bulls defeated Rhino RLC 20-4 and narrowly beat R2 Finesse 12-8 to emerge as the overall winners on the league table in the male category of the Rugby league.

The male category featured four teams, and Lagos Bulls won both their matches to emerge as overall champions.

Two teams competed in the female category, with Lagos Bulls demolishing Golden Rugby Club 16-0 to emerge as champions in the category.

The Captain of Lagos Bulls, male category, Olisa Kelvin, expressed gratitude to God for the hard-fought victory and attributed their success to the teamwork, hard work, and commitment of the players throughout the tournament.

“It was a good outing for us, and it was a wonderful experience for my teammates. Let me say our last match against R2 Finesse was a tough one, and thank goodness that we overcame them.

"I thank the organisers of this tournament because a tournament like this really helps us to keep fit ahead of future engagements,” he said.

The Captain of R2 Finesse, Collins Arogunjo, admitted that the opponents were a good side and commended his teammates for putting on a good performance in the league.

He said the league has brought the best out of his teammates and thanked the organisers who made it possible to hold a league that keeps the game of rugby growing in the city of Lagos.

“I was not too disappointed with our defeat, but we were able to showcase our talents and gave our opponents a run for their money.

"We eventually lost to them, but we also won our first match. It was a good outing for us, and I hope that we will do better in subsequent competitions,” he said.

On the other hand, Lagos Bulls Captain, female category, Rukayat Jimoh, said the league really brought the best out of her teammates and commended the organisers for the initiative.

She also urged the organisers to hold grassroots leagues on a regular basis to keep them fit for future challenges.

In her own remarks, the match coordinator, Wuraola Hussain, who doubles as vice president of Ibudo Rugby Football Association, hailed the participating teams for their impressive performance, saying that the league had recorded a huge success.

“What I saw today showed that there is a future in Nigerian Rugby football. I must confess that all the teams did extremely well, but in a league like this, there must be a champion.

"I congratulate Lagos Bulls for winning the league, and I also commend the participants for their doggedness and commitment to making the league a competitive and memorable one,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Kelvin Okpowo was adjudged as the Highest Goal Scorer and the most valuable player of the league, while Adaeze Innocent won the same award in the female category.

The coach of the Lagos State Rugby team, Samson Okeowo, also commended Ibudo Rugby Football Academy and Hussain for the initiative and pointed out that the league has brought some players to the limelight.

He urged corporate bodies and other rugby stakeholders to channel their resources by sponsoring grassroots rugby leagues or competitions to keep the players fit ahead of future national and international competitions.

Winners were given cash prizes and trophies, while other teams also received gift items for their participation.

Lagos Bulls Win 2024 Golden 9’s Rugby League Tournament

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