The Edo State Sports Commission has responded to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation’s (NRFF) decision to disqualify Team Edo from the Boys’ Rugby Sevens event at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, describing the ruling as “disappointing but instructive.”
Over the weekend, the NRFF announced that Edo State had been stripped of its bronze medal after fielding an ineligible player. The disciplinary committee further directed that all matches involving the player be forfeited, allowing Abia State to move up to bronze, while Kano and Delta retained gold and silver respectively.
In a statement signed by his Media Officer, Wilson Edoko, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Enabulele, said the Commission respects the decision of both the NRFF and the Main Organizing Committee. He stressed that the integrity of competitions depends on strict adherence to rules, even when decisions do not favour every participating state.
Acknowledging the disappointment felt by Edo athletes, officials, and supporters, Enabulele reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fair play, discipline, and compliance with regulations. He praised the passion and effort of the athletes who represented Edo and revealed that the Commission would carefully review the ruling as well as the available appeal process.
Enabulele also congratulated Abia, Kano, and Delta States on their medals and welcomed NRFF’s plan to strengthen verification procedures for future events, saying this would promote transparency across Nigerian sports.
Despite the setback, the Commission Chairman assured that Edo State will continue investing in youth sports development, ensuring its athletes remain exemplary ambassadors of both the state and the nation.
