Independence Rugby 7s 2016 kicks off Saturday

By Akeem Lawal

LOVERS of Rugby in Nigeria are set for an exciting time as the 8th edition of the Independence 7s Rugby Tournament kicks off at legendary Onikan Stadium in Lagos on Saturday.

This year’s edition promises to be a grand event as the organizers, Friends of Rugby is partnering with Lagos State Government, through Lagos State Sports Commission to provide a truly world class competition.

The two day tournament which will witness action from 10am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday will feature such teams as Samurai Bulldogs of UK, the Zambian National 7s team and Alexandria Rugby Club of Egypt, who will be competing with the best of our Nigerian club sides such as Cowrie RFC Lagos, Barewa RFC Kano, Nigeria Police RFC etc for the Independence Rugby 7s trophy.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that the independence Rugby 7’s tournament is an annual rugby event staged to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. 

The tournament which is being sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co. Ltd started in 2009 and has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in Nigeria. Its 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour.

Tournament manager, Fasimoye Olatunji affirmed that the 2016 edition promises to be bigger and better with thirteen local teams and 3 international teams’ battle ready for this year’s trophy.

Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side, Sevens or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by World Ruby, the body responsible for rugby union worldwide. 

The game originated in Melrose where the Melrose Sevens tournament is still played annually. The game is popular at all levels, with amateur and club tournaments generally held in the summer months. Sevens is one of the most well distributed forms of rugby, and is popular in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.