Rugby: Azeez lauds organisers of Independence 7s

Captain of the defending champion of the independence 7s, Azeez Ladipo, has lauded the initiative of the organisers of the Independence Rugby 7s International tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd. for improving the level and standard of the competition.
Speaking on behalf of Cowrie RFC of Lagos, he said they are ready to the challenge after training and working hard, considering the fact that 6 high profile teams from Europe and Africa will be participating in the tournament.
The 2 day tournament holding between the 23rd and 24 of this month at the Onikan Stadium will feature teams from Kenya, UK, South Africa, Ghana and Benin Republic and 10 clubsides from Nigeria who will be competing for honour.
The influential flyhalf said: “It’s a great opportunity participating at the tournament which gives home grown players the opportunity to compete against foreign teams.
Azeez, who doubles at the captain of the men senior national team, revealed that they are ready to storm the tournament and defend their title after weeks of intensive training.
Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK are all expected to fly into Lagos for the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd sponsored tournament on Thursday, 22nd of October with visas and accommodation already sorted out by the organiser.
Independence 7s title favorites, Western Province has announced a 12-man squad for the international invitational 7s tournament to be held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos on Friday and Saturday 23rd -24th October 2015.
According to the letter sent to the organizer of the annual event, the team is made up of 12 players and 3 officials for the tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd.
The team will be flying to Lagos on Thursday, 22nd of October following their third place finish at the Safari 7s two weeks ago.
Bassingthwaighte Josh, Johnson Earl Aldrin, Roux Danie, Kriel Jason, Wilson Dale Tiaan, Muller Frederick Jacobus, Taylor Anthony, Bartels Iewan Le Roy, Naude Dewald Donald, Booysen Joel Kelly, Roberts Cheslyn Dean and Johnson Niyaas have all been included in the team from South Africa while Petersen Richard Charles, Joubert Marthinus Godfrey and Kagan David are the 3 officials that will lead the team to Nigeria.
The eagerly-awaited two-day competition brings together rugby clubs from Kenya, UK, South Africa, Ghana and Benin Republic while last year champion, Cowrie RFC will be leading 9 other Nigerian clubs to the 2015 edition.
The tournament, which is in its seventh year, is a celebration of Nigerian Independence and a 7 a-side version of the game where each half is played for 7minutes.
Sixteen teams divided into 4 groups will be participating at this year’s tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd.
The two-day tournament will witness each team play an average of three matches daily in a funfair atmosphere conducive for the family where the teams will be jostling for the cup, plate, bowl and shield trophies respectively.