THEY are coming from Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal with one ambition and at the same venue. Today at the old King George V Stadium, popularly known as the Onikan Stadium, 16 teams drawn from all over the country and beyond will begin battle for the Lagos Sevens Rugby Festival, which, according to the organisers, promises more than the on-pitch competition.The festival involves 46 games, including a ladies and youth demonstration game on Sunday afternoon before the men's final, and according to the organisers, the atmosphere cannot be better anywhere else than Onikan Stadium during this festive period.Among the teams taking part in the festival are Barewa RFC, Edo Club, Kaduna and Warri Rugby clubs, all in Group A.Group B has Police Rugby Club, Racing, Dragons and Eko Two clubs, while Group C is made up of ASFA Rugby Cub of Senegal, Governor's Seven, Lagos RFC and Ilorin RFC.Group D comprises Accra Sharks of Ghana, Abuja RFC, Jos RFC and Zaria RFC.According to Tertius Strauss, who is the Regional Director of EXP, the sponsors of the tournament, lined for the enjoyment of rugby fans at the stadium are cheerleaders, music fun and entertainment for the whole family.With play beginning at 10 am today and 10.30 tomorrow and ending around 6pm on both days, it will be a real festival of rugby.'For those unfamiliar with the game of rugby, 7s rugby is a faster more entertaining form of rugby with lots of open running and fast attacking play.'This is history in the making. For the first time rugby in Lagos is going to be broadcast live to 63 countries across the world when the finals go live on Supersport on Sunday afternoon,' Strauss said.He revealed that EXP, an experiential marketing company is working with the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) to help build rugby in Nigeria.'7s rugby becomes an Olympic sport in 2016 and the players on show could be working towards securing a place on the Nigerian 7s Team to enter the Olympic qualifiers in 2014.'The Lagos 7s Festival is being endorsed by the Lagos State government and with their assistance security and safety will be excellent,' he added.
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