By Vitus Michael

No fewer than 14 teams will take part in the 2022 Abuja 10’s Rugby Tournament slated to commence from May 13 through Saturday, May 15, 2022.

The tournament which is expected to draw huge spectators will hold at the Moshood Abiola National stadium, Package B (Old cricket pitch).

The organisers of the tournament, Abuja Rugby Football Club, ARFC reckons that the match schedule reflects how ARFC promotes both rugby and inclusion within the sport noting that the venue has two pitches that would be simultaneously feature the men’s full-contact games and
Development Teams (made up of ladies, under 18yr old boys, and new players) playing touch
rugby.

The organisers confirmed via presser Wednesday that 14 visiting teams will be coming to Abuja for the tournament stressing that the revamped format with a special feature of Ladies 7’s full contact game AND an earlier
finish allowing an after-party at the event venue, shortly after the awards ceremony.

ARFC prioritizes player welfare by ensuring first aiders are present and all teams can leave
early on Sunday avoiding dangerous road travel in the dark on their return journeys.

Abuja Rugby Football Club (ARFC) is proudly hosting the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament bringing together teams from across Nigeria to compete for the title of Abuja Abuja 10s Champion in the different categories, and take home a trophy and prize money for the 1st and 2nd and 3rd place.

This is the first rugby tournament held in Abuja in over 20 years and ARFC captain, Michael Egirani noted that “To further grow and raise
the profile of rugby in Nigeria, ARFC is taking the bold step of hosting the first nationwide 10s
tournament in Abuja in May to showcase the grassroots talent and the passion of Nigeria’s
youth has for the game of rugby

“The tournament aims to promote rugby in Nigeria and celebrate the skills of Nigerian teams. We are expecting over 1,000 spectators over the weekend and ARFC have planned a spectacular two days with entertainment in the intervals, food and drink vendors, craft stalls,
media screens showing the live matches, DJs & MCs, seating areas with tents for shade, and
an afterparty at the venue on Saturday at 7pm. The atmosphere will be electric and there will be supporters in Abuja, nationally in Nigeria, and abroad closely following the tournament.

The revamped schedule means that the opening ceremony is on Friday 13th May at 11 am

followed by the kick-off of the first game at 12:30pm and games will be played until 5:30
pm.

On Saturday 14th May, kick-off is at 9 am. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand finals,
will all take place from 12 noon onwards on Saturday. Saturday afternoon will also feature a special one -off, first of its kind Ladies 7’s full-contact match to show how the momentum
around women’s rugby is continuously building and we look forward to demonstrating this to
Nigeria through the unstoppable energy of our Abuja Ladies 7’s team who will be playing the Zaria Rugby Ladies 7’s team.

ARFC Coach, Daniel Nicolle, said “With the first tournament in Abuja in over 20yrs, in the first ever 10’s tournament in Abuja.
ARFC are looking forward to uniting Nigerian teams at the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament 2022.”

ARFC President, Richard Abrakson, is thrilled to be hosting the event: “We
have been training hard for this tournament and can’t wait to welcome some of Nigeria’s best
rugby players to our city, Abuja, the city of unity. This is apt because our club is a community
of players from diverse backgrounds. I am sure everyone will see that after some fierce
competitions, all the players from Abuja rugby club and from across Nigeria will be united and
friends – as often are the case with rugby players around the world.”