The game of Rugby will soon gain popularity as South Africa business mogul, Thabo Kubu set to partner with Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF, through injection of funds to support the game in the country.
This was at meeting held in Abuja between the South Africa delegation led by Thabo Kubu and the Board of NRFF led by its President, Ademola Are.
Kubu said they have identifying some of the challenges facing the game which undermine its popularity, hence the need to partner with the board to enhance its potential.
“We are very grateful that the federation invited us to work with each other so we can see how we can develop and promote and bring the commercialisation of the fund diggers and all of that.”
” One of the biggest challenge is funding, Government has contributed a lot but private sector must help in getting that money that will serve as motivating factor that will help the federation and government to see to the sustenance of the game,” he added.
The South African Billionaire agreed that since arriving in the country, they have entered into series of meetings with the Government and the board which has led to signing of MOUs that will help in the funding, promotion and development of the game in Nigeria.
” We are going to bring technical expertise from South Africa and you would agree with me that in South Africa, the private sector is at helms of the development of Rugby although government play a role but the private sector is at the centre of it”, he concluded.
President, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Ademola Are said the partnership between the two countries will help in promoting the game in Nigeria. Are said to underscore the importance of their visit, the South Africa delegation visited the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as well as the Nigerian Olympic Committee where they briefed the Nigerian Sporting Administrators on their readiness to provide funds to support the growth of the game in the country.
Are said his board will welcome and individuals and organisations within or outside the country that are ready to partner with them so as to change the fortune of the game in the country.
The South Africa delegation inspected the facilities at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
