Enugu Emerges South-East Champion As Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy Defeats Imo, Secures National Games Ticket

 

  

BY OGENE ROMANUS CHIZOBA 

The Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy has recorded a major breakthrough barely three months after its historic unveiling, defeating the Imo State Under-19 Rugby Team by a solitary try to emerge victorious in the South-East zonal elimination and secure the right to represent the zone at the National Intermediate Games scheduled to take place in Nigeria in the first half of 2027.

The decisive encounter was played on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium practice pitch in Owerri, Imo State, where the young Enugu side produced a determined and disciplined performance to defeat their Imo counterparts 5–0, with the only score of the encounter coming through a try.

The victory represents a remarkable early milestone for the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy since its official unveiling on June 20, 2026, at Bigard Memorial Seminary School, Enugu, and provides a strong validation of the vision, sacrifice and investment behind the establishment of the academy.

The Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy Under-19 team had emerged as Enugu State’s representative for the South-East zonal elimination, with Imo State providing the only other available state Under-19 rugby team for the regional contest. Playing under intense pressure and with a place at the national competition at stake, the young Enugu side held its nerve and delivered the crucial performance, securing the solitary try needed to finish first and book its ticket to the National Intermediate Games.

The achievement has now given fresh meaning to the historic unveiling of the academy just three months ago, when it was introduced as the first rugby academy in the history of Enugu State and described as a new frontier for youth sports development in the Coal City.

The initiative, championed by the Founder of OneHopeChildren Foundation, Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor, was conceived not merely as a sports project but as a platform for youth empowerment, leadership development, discipline, teamwork, education, healthy living and access to opportunities beyond Nigeria.

Reacting to the team's latest achievement, Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor expressed profound appreciation to the Enugu State Government for its support of the rugby initiative, with particular emphasis on the roles played by the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu.

Fr. Ugwuozor applauded Governor Mbah for creating an enabling environment for youth and sports development in the state and for supporting initiatives capable of giving young people productive pathways and opportunities. He equally expressed deep gratitude to Commissioner Ekweremadu for his encouragement, commitment and active support for the development of rugby in Enugu State.

According to him, the emergence of the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy and its rapid progress would not have been possible without the cooperation and encouragement of the state government and other stakeholders who believed in the vision from its formative stages.

He particularly acknowledged Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu's support for rugby development, noting that the Commissioner has remained supportive of the initiative and demonstrated a genuine commitment to grassroots sports development.

The Founder also extended special appreciation to the international team of rugby enthusiasts, development experts and benefactors whose contributions have been instrumental in transforming the vision into a functioning academy now competing successfully at the regional level.

At the forefront is James Blottman, a United States veteran and long-time rugby player, who has worked directly with Fr. Felix Ugwuozor from the United States and has emerged as one of the academy's major financial sponsors and champions. His commitment, according to the foundation, has been crucial to providing the resources and support required to develop the programme.

Also receiving special commendation is Mike Flanagan, an accomplished rugby coach who coached the sport at West Point for more than 30 years. Flanagan has worked closely with Fr. Felix and the coaching team from the United States, bringing decades of technical knowledge, coaching experience and player-development expertise to the OneHope rugby project.

Fr. Ugwuozor equally acknowledged the enormous contribution of Paul and Becky Simpson, describing Paul as a former rugby player at Georgetown University in Washington, a close friend and supporter of Fr. Felix, and a board member of OneHopeChildren Foundation. Their support has contributed significantly to the foundation's efforts to establish and sustain the rugby academy.

Other international supporters and members of the OneHopeChildren Foundation family who were recognised for their contributions include James and Janice Mazzo, who also serve on the foundation's board; Ed McCabe; John and Becky Jordan; Edward and Monica McCabe; Frank DelVecchio; Frank Skuthan; Claire Simpson; and Mark Mulvey.

Their collective commitment from the United States and beyond has helped provide the international backing, resources, expertise and encouragement that have enabled the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy to move from an idea into a competitive youth rugby programme representing Enugu and now the entire South-East at the national level.

The Founder also reserved special praise and gratitude for the academy's Patron, Chief Cosmas Agu of COMAG Construction Limited, whose generosity and commitment to the project have made him one of the academy's most significant local supporters.

Chief Agu demonstrated his remarkable belief in the future of Enugu's young people which he demonstrated through his support during the academy's June unveiling. 

His contribution was not only a financial donation but a powerful statement of confidence in the academy and its young athletes. In recognition of his support and commitment to youth development, Chief Cosmas Agu was made the Patron of the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy.

The foundation expressed profound appreciation to Chief Agu for standing firmly behind the project and for demonstrating that individuals and indigenous businesses can play a transformative role in creating opportunities for young people.

The latest victory was achieved under the guidance of a dedicated coaching and support crew comprising Damian Mba, Team Manager; Nuhu Samaila Ibrahim, Head Coach; Joshua Etim Effiong, Assistant Coach; John Mark Aka, Chaperone; and Mmesoma Emmanuella Ajibo, Nurse.

The coaching crew has been central to the rapid development of the young players, combining technical training, discipline, mentorship and welfare support to prepare the team for competitive rugby.

While the team was preparing for the South-East elimination in Owerri, Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor, who was in the United States, sent a powerful goodwill message to the coaches, players and entire support crew, expressing confidence in their preparation and urging them to approach the tournament with courage, discipline, unity and determination.

He reminded them that every player mattered and that every tackle, pass, run, defensive effort, encouragement and act of discipline contributed to the strength of the team. He urged the players to play for one another, support one another and never give up.

Fr. Ugwuozor described the tournament as more than just a competition, stressing that it was an opportunity for the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy to announce itself on the national stage.

He particularly commended Coaches Nuhu, Damian and Joshua for their tremendous hard work, sacrifice and dedication, while appreciating Nurse Mmesoma Ajibo and Chaperone John Mark for taking responsibility for the welfare, safety and wellbeing of the young athletes.

To the players, he declared: "You have earned the right to be here. Believe in yourselves. Believe in your teammates. Believe in your coaches. Believe in the work you have put in."

His message proved prophetic as the team went on to secure the South-East ticket in Owerri.

The players who represented the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy in the decisive encounter include Agwasinwa Chidiebere, Chibuike Chijioke Victor, Ifebuzor Chijioke Sullivan, Odume Arinze V, Ndulogburu Arinze C, Okechukwu Victor C, Aniekwe Ibuchim Stanley, Eze Chigozie Francisco, Ugwu Chizitete Eric, Okpala Oluoma C, Nwekr Christian, Eze Chimeremeze Michael, Edeh Philip, Mba Chukwuebuka, Aniekwe Victor, and Okonkwo James.

Among the outstanding performers was Eze Chimeremeze Michael, who was named Man of the Match following his impressive performance during the encounter.

The victory is particularly significant because the academy is still in the early stages of its development. Barely three months after its official unveiling, the young team has progressed from an ambitious youth development project to a South-East champion with a confirmed place at the National Intermediate Games.

Beyond the 5–0 scoreline, the achievement represents what strategic investment, dedicated coaching, international partnership and government support can accomplish when directed towards the development of young people.

The academy was established to expose young Nigerians to rugby while equipping them with values and life skills that extend far beyond the playing field. For the players, the journey has already become an education in resilience, teamwork, hard work, discipline, courage and perseverance.

The initiative also carries the potential of opening international opportunities for its players through the extensive network of partners associated with OneHopeChildren Foundation.

With the South-East zonal elimination now conquered, attention shifts to the National Intermediate Games in the first half of 2027, where the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy will represent the South-East against teams from other parts of Nigeria.

The latest victory has therefore transformed what began as a three-year vision into a rapidly growing sporting reality, with Enugu's young rugby players now carrying the hopes of the entire South-East into the national arena.

From the historic unveiling on June 20 to the triumphant South-East qualification on September 11, the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy has taken a giant step forward.

For Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor, the coaches, sponsors, government supporters, international partners, the academy's Patron Chief Cosmas Agu, and the young players themselves, the victory is both a reward for the work already done and a challenge to aim even higher.

The road to the National Championship has now begun, and the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy is taking the South-East with it.

One Team. One Dream. OneHope.

South-East to the National Stage.

“Ogene Romanus Chizoba is a Writer, Media Consultant, Political Scientist/Analyst, Junior Member of The National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Member of The Institute of Chartered Madiators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC), researcher, Mediator, Peace Scholar and a Good Governance Advocate”