Enugu State is set to witness a groundbreaking moment in its sporting history as the OneHopeChildren Foundation officially unveils the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy, the first rugby academy of its kind in the history of the state.
The historic unveiling ceremony is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Bigard Memorial Seminary School, Enugu, beginning at 12 noon.,and is expected to attract top government officials, sports administrators, education stakeholders, development partners, and youth advocates from within and outside Nigeria.
The landmark initiative, championed by the Founder of OneHopeChildren Foundation, Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuzor, a professor at UNN and the Pro-Chancellor, Peaceland University represents a bold step towards expanding youth sports development opportunities in Enugu State while introducing rugby as a tool for leadership development, discipline, teamwork, healthy living, and community engagement.
The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the state's sports evolution. While football and athletics have traditionally dominated the sporting landscape in Enugu, the establishment of the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy is expected to open a new frontier for youth participation in sports and position Enugu as a future hub for rugby development in Nigeria, thanks to Prof. Felix
The academy is being driven by an international team of rugby development experts led by James Blottman, Program Director and Chief Sponsor of the OneHope Rugby Academy Programme. Blottman, a US veteran and a gallant rugby administrator and passionate advocate for youth development through sports, has played a central role in bringing the vision to reality.
Working alongside him is renowned rugby coach Michael "Mike" Flanagan, who brings over three decades of coaching experience and player development expertise to the project. Both Blottman and Flanagan have been working with the founder Fr. Felix and his coaches, Coach Nuhu, Coach Joshua Etim, Coach Damian Mba and a Chaperone, JohnMark Akah in building a strong foundation for the sport in Enugu State.
The event will also recognize the contributions of several international supporters whose commitment has helped make the project possible, including Msgr. Ron Rozniak, Paul and Becky Simpson, Frank Delvecio, Frank Skuthan, John and Becky Jordan and Melissa Korczak, Parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood, New Jersey, friends of Fr. Felix from St Elizabeth in Wyckoff, New Jersey among others.
The academy's emergence follows nearly one year of rugby development efforts in Enugu State, an initiative that has received tremendous encouragement from the Enugu State Government, particularly through the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu.
Stakeholders have praised Ekweremadu for his unwavering support since the introduction of rugby in the state, noting that he has remained actively involved in planning discussions leading to the academy's official launch.
The academy's local coaching structure has already begun yielding results. OneHope Rugby Coach Nuhu, recently emerged as Best Rugby Coach at a national event in Abuja, an achievement that further highlights the rapid growth of rugby development efforts in Enugu State. The trophy won by Coach Nuhu was subsequently presented to Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu in recognition of the commissioner's support for grassroots sports development.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, the Vice-Chancellor of Peaceland University, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Prof. Leo Chidi Ilechukwu, described the initiative as a transformative project capable of positively redirecting the energy of Nigerian youths.
According to him, "OneHope Children Foundation has over the years successfully brought real hope to real people, the children who needed it most, by supporting many deprived children to envision and fashion their future, thanks to Fr. Prof Felix and his many American friends. The planned Rugby Games will provide sports, recreation, entertainment, healthy lifestyle and community. This is particularly important because of its target audience, the Nigerian youth, many of whom will better direct their energy more positively and productively through this medium.
"I thank James Blottman, Director and Chief Sponsor of OneHope Rugby Games Enugu, and all our other benefactors for their trust and continued support.
"I congratulate OneHope for this maiden outing and wish her a successful and historic tournament."
The unveiling ceremony is expected to host an impressive lineup of dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Uche Ugwu; Senator Osita Ngwu; the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Patrick Ubru; Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Obi Ozor; Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Engr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh (Prince of Mburubu); Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius Okolie; and the Vice-Chancellor of Peaceland University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Leo Chidi Ilechukwu.
Other distinguished guests expected at the event include the Chairman of COMAC Construction Limited, Chief Cosmas Agu, the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze; Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Engr. Hyginus Agu; Managing Director of Rangers International Football Club, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku; the Chief Executive Officer of Afia TV, Prof. Sam Ugwuozor, the Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Albert Ikpenwa, formators and Bigard seminarians among others.
This historic event is being coordinated by Dr. Collins Ogbu, Esq., the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Strategic Communications, who serves as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.
The event is receiving support from several notable corporate organizations and institutions including Access Bank, Peaceland University, Ugo Ferdinand Foundation, Rangers International FC, Powell Homes and Shelters, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NBL), Milo, Indomie, Afrinvest, Tenece, WholeChild Montessori International School, Afia TV, and MANAMUZ.
The Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy will become a springboard for discovering and nurturing future rugby talents while also promoting education, leadership, discipline, and social inclusion among young people.
This Academy is seen as a visionary investment in the future of Enugu's youth and a historic development that will permanently alter the sporting landscape of the Coal City State.
With local and international partners united behind the initiative, the official unveiling of the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy is expected to usher in a new era of rugby excellence, youth empowerment, and sporting innovation in Enugu State.
