Southeast Rugby Festival Debuts in Abia State with Thrilling Action
The inaugural Southeast Rugby Festival took center stage on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Mini Stadium in Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, bringing together teams from across the region in a day of high-octane rugby action.
Hosted successfully by the Abia State Rugby Association, the tournament featured four men’s teams: Abia Buffalo RFC, Imo Wildcats RFC, Anambra Tigers RFC, and Coal City RFC from Enugu.
The opening match saw the host team, Abia Buffalo RFC, edge out Coal City RFC with a narrow 5-point victory. However, their momentum was halted by the eventual champions, Imo Wildcats RFC, who handed them a 5-point defeat in their next encounter.
Coal City RFC bounced back by securing a walkover win against Anambra Tigers RFC, earning crucial points in the process. In the final clash of the round-robin format, Imo Wildcats clashed with Coal City RFC and emerged victorious with a 5-0 scoreline to seal the championship.
Final Standings – Men’s Category:
1st Place: Imo Wildcats RFC – 10 points (2 wins)
2nd Place: Coal City RFC – 7 points (1 win, 1 loss)
3rd Place: Abia Buffalo RFC – 5 points (1 win, 1 loss)
4th Place: Anambra Tigers RFC – 0 points (walkover loss)
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Obuneme Dike, one of the key organisers, expressed pride in the festival’s success. “We are thrilled to have hosted this tournament. The games ran smoothly from 10am to 2:45pm right after the opening ceremony, and the turnout was incredible,” he said.
Assistant Technical Representative and Organising Secretary, Mr. Onyekachi Stephen Ibegbulam, echoed the excitement: “This is a proud moment for Abia State. Hosting the first Southeast Rugby Festival is not just an honour, but a massive morale booster for rugby development in our region. We’re fully committed to nurturing talent through our ‘Catch Them Young’ school program and are already planning a schools rugby tournament this August.”
President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Dr. Ademola Are, lauded the organisers for a job well done and reaffirmed the Federation’s support for growing the sport in the Southeast, calling the region a rising hub for rugby talent in Nigeria.
With this successful maiden edition, the Southeast Rugby Festival has set the tone for even bigger tournaments in the future, signaling a promising era for the sport in the region.
