November 12, (THEWILL) – Nigerian professional rugby player currently working to develop grassroots rugby programmes and grow the sport locally, Olatunbosun Johnson, speaks with JUDE OBAFEMI about his vision for building the rugby culture and infrastructure in Nigeria, the challenges and opportunities for the future of Nigerian rugby and overcoming obstacles like lack of funding and facilities, as well as his plan to take the national rugby team to the global stage. Excerpts:
As a professional rugby player, do you believe Nigeria has the potential to follow in South Africa’s footsteps and win the Rugby World Cup in the future? Why or why not?
Yes, Nigeria has the numbers and the talents. We have the strength, genetics and most importantly, the intelligence and the world knows this. If we can invest in our grassroots development, it will only take a couple of years. We just need the right investors, educators, trainers and more to help grow the sport.
I dedicate myself to making sure rugby gets developed in my community. I offer as much free coaching as I can to the community and the passion these kids show towards the game is alarmingly fascinating. It only fuels the drive to want to help develop more and that’s what it takes. The passion, the camaraderie of sport. With such efforts, we can only grow better, although it’s difficult because it needs financial backing, which is a challenge that we have to fight through if we are to help develop the sport.
Apart from funding, what other obstacles stand in the way of Nigeria building a strong national rugby team that could compete at the global level? How can these challenges be overcome, especially with your noble objective of training a new generation of champions?
There’s so much, but I will name a few. A FUNCTIONAL LEAGUE: Rugby is not the national sport of Nigeria. It is football, what Americans call soccer. It is therefore a challenge for us to get the attention of the Federal Government and the public to buy into the sport.
INVESTORS: I must bring it up again. Rugby needs funding, simply put. Equipment, coach education, training, competitions, exposure to better opposition to improve standards, grassroot development. All of these things can’t be done without funding. Raising awareness of the sport among the people is also powered on funding and there is a lot that investors can do to make this happen.
GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT: I use myself for an example. I have been coaching rugby in schools for free for the past 10 years. But, it cannot grow beyond what it is if there isn’t adequate funding to get the required manpower, the required training, required equipment, required exposure, etc. I’m so happy that a country like South Africa, which embraces the sport so much, has proven to the world that Africa can be the best if the necessary support and attention is given to them.
I’m currently trying to help develop university rugby across the country and that cannot work if you do not have the right support and investors to come in, otherwise. I can bet my father’s last dollar that in the next five years of consistency, Nigeria can put together a team that will compete against the best in the world. Coaches have come and seen what our kids can do and they all see the problem. It’s a challenge which needs help if we are to overcome.
Can you tell us about your journey in rugby and how you became involved in the sport?
That is a very interesting story. I started playing rugby in secondary school. I played for six years before joining my first rugby club called Young Lions. Thereafter, I moved to Addax Petroleum Rugby Club where I played for a couple of years before I transferred to Cowries Rugby Football Club for a year. My last move was to Racing RFC where I still play today. Going down memory lane, it all started when my coach, Mr Williams, walked into school with the oval ball. I used to be more into football, but my classmates were not comfortable playing football with me because they felt I was way too rough.
The day they found out that I was playing rugby, they were overjoyed and asked me not to come back. For me personally, I grew to love Rugby even more. I have become so invested in it and its values that till this day I still play and invest my time in coaching and refereeing as well.
How is interest in rugby growing among young people in Nigeria? You are targeting a younger set of rugby talents. Are more kids getting inspired to play the sport today?
This isn’t something that can be explained. It is something that needs to be experienced. You should see the passion among Nigerian kids when they play rugby. It is unbelievable. I would encourage anyone available to come and watch these kids at the British International School on November 25, 2023 and see how talented they are. Come and see how much passion flows in their veins for the game
What kind of training facilities and rugby programmes exist today in Nigeria to help develop talented youth players? How can these be expanded or improved?
Facilities at regular stadiums and school pitches will go a long way. We have rugby balls and cones which we managed to get the kids to learn the basics, but this is far from what is required to help the sport develop. Rugby balls are expensive and hard to come by. The rugby posts to practise proper kicking against potential international games are important to have in place. Scrum machines, contact shields, tackle pads and bags, all of these equipment are quite expensive and if they are provided, will boost the development of the game.
Updated coaching tactics and strategies, protective gear and the likes are necessary as well. We do not have access to such equipment. In fact, access to use the equipment that foreign clubs do not need any more will go a long way in developing these kids as we introduce them to the game and grow their interests.
What are the qualities and skills that you believe young Nigerian athletes should focus on to become successful rugby players?
Personally, I would focus on the elementary basics and the values of the sport. These are very important areas. Even at the professional stage, you need those areas to be very strong and to deliver results.
Can you share any specific initiative or programme that you are currently involved in to promote rugby and develop talent in Nigeria?
I think I mentioned that in our conversation, but let me still buttress. We run a company called TurboCrestSports. It has been running rugby in Nigeria for over 15 years. I was also the Technical Director of Rugby development in Lagos State. TurboCrestSports manages grassroost development training in high schools to help develop the sport.
We also started a programme to develop rugby in universities across the country, but that is currently on hold until we are able to fund the project to get about 150 universities involved. We are the pioneers of beach rugby in Nigeria and our pioneering annual event “Sandie Beach Rugby” is approaching the 11th edition on the 26th of November 2023 at the Landmark Beach oniru, Lagos Nigeria.
We are also preparing for the second edition of our international rugby sevens tournament “Turbo 7s” at the British International School on November 25, 2023 where we will have teams from Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Burkina Faso invited to come compete against Nigerian local teams. These competitions are intended to help build the sport, not only in Nigeria but also in West Africa.
The schools programme is all managed by our academy called the Wolverines Rugby Academy, but the challenges I have mentioned earlier still hold us back. So, if there are supporters or investors out there who can help us, we don’t mind. Please, reach out (laughs). Hopefully, there are some supporters and investors reading.
Are there any role models or rugby teams that you think young Nigerian players should look up to for inspiration and learning?
Yes, the SpringBoks of South Africa, which is now the greatest rugby nation of all time in the history of the sport. They are specific names like Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Ox Nche, Farf De Klerk, Kwaga Smith, Chelsen Kolbe, Eben Ebzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi!, Siya Kolisi! The leader to be idolised .(laughs) should I continue? Viva Africa! Well done South Africa!
As a professional player, what guidance or advice would you give to aspiring young rugby players in Nigeria who dream of representing their country someday? And, what would you tell them is the key to success?
Work hard, be persistent, be determined. Have a target and work hard at it. Don’t rely on anyone to give you what you need. Strive for what is required, have what is necessary, and I believe you will go places. Have the discipline and the commitment, be prepared so when opportunities come you don’t miss out.
Looking ahead, say between 10 and 15 years from now, where would you like to see Nigerian rugby on the global stage? Do you believe Nigeria can qualify for the Rugby World Cup in the coming years?
Let me speak for myself and my contribution. If I had adequate support to achieve my goal, my dream is to lead Nigeria to the Rugby World Cup within that time frame. The podium of the Rugby World Cup, the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games are the places I see Nigeria in the next 15 years, with adequate support and right personnel and planning.
If you could change one thing to help accelerate the growth of rugby in Nigeria, what would it be and why?
Nigeria’s lack of funds for the sport and the Federal Government’s commitment to the sport. The passion to grow the sport is already in Nigeria, but these two areas are necessary to help to skyrocket Nigeria’s rugby growth. If I had the chance those are areas that I will change: Funding and government commitment.
Can you describe your vision for the future of rugby in Nigeria and what success on the international stage would mean for the country?
My vision for Nigerian rugby is to see male and female grassroots rugby on the international stage claiming its rightful place as giants of the world when it comes to rugby where we truly belong. Successful Nigerian rugby would mean better funding for the sport, international recognition and growth boosting tourism, especially sports tourism in Nigeria. I also look forward to building rugby as a career path for those interested in Nigeria, which will help more youths see it as a rewarding option to consider.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
