...Marks Historic Milestone in Youth Sports Development
Enugu State on Saturday, June 20, 2026, witnessed a historic moment in its sporting history as the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy, the first rugby academy of its kind in the state, was officially unveiled amid fanfare, goodwill messages, donations, and exciting rugby displays by young players drawn from various unity schools across the state.
The groundbreaking initiative, championed by the Founder of the OneHopeChildren Foundation, Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor, was graced by over one thousand audience, signals a new era for sports development in Enugu State and reinforces the foundation's commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and community transformation.
The event commenced with a novelty rugby match involving seventy young players currently in camp under the academy. The players, who were selected from different unity schools across Enugu State, were divided into two teams and treated guests to an entertaining and highly competitive display of rugby skills, tactics, teamwork, and resilience acquired through months of training.
The players continued with several rugby exhibition matches for hours, leaving guests and sports enthusiasts amazed by the rapid progress already recorded in the development of the sport in the state.
Addressing guests at the grand unveiling, Fr. Felix Ugwuozor recounted the inspiring three-year journey that culminated in the establishment of the academy.
According to him, the vision was first introduced to him in the United States by two internationally renowned rugby development experts, James Blottman and Michael Flanagan.
He explained that during his first encounter with the duo, they proposed the idea of incorporating rugby into the core initiatives of the OneHopeChildren Foundation. However, because he was unfamiliar with the game and had little interest in it at the time, he did not take the proposal seriously.
He disclosed that the following year, during another trip to the United States, Blottman and Flanagan approached him again with the same proposal. This time, he requested time to reflect on the idea.
According to him, it was during his third visit to the United States that the rugby development experts once again presented the idea to him, and after carefully considering its enormous potential for youth development, he embraced the initiative and discussions on establishing the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy officially commenced. Nn
Fr. Ugwuozor revealed that upon returning to Nigeria, he immediately contacted Bishop Obodo, who was in charge of Catholic education at the time, and received his approval and support for the project.
He further stated that the Commissioner for Youth and Sports and several other critical stakeholders were also briefed on the initiative, and with their support and encouragement, the vision eventually became a reality.
"Today, we have the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy, and I am grateful to everyone who believed in this dream and worked tirelessly to make it possible," he said.
The cleric and educationist noted that beyond sports, the academy presents immense opportunities for the young players, revealing that members of the academy stand a good chance of gaining admission into the United States Naval Academy and other international institutions and programmes operated by global partners of the foundation.
He commended the coaching crew for their resilience, dedication, and commitment to nurturing the players and laying a solid foundation for rugby development in Enugu State.
Special recognition was given to Coach Nuhu, Coach Joshua Etim, Coach Damian Mba, and the academy's chaperone, JohnMark Akah, whom he described as a team that has demonstrated exceptional synergy and commitment towards building the future of rugby in the state.
Rev. Fr. Ugwuozor also highlighted the broader humanitarian interventions of the OneHopeChildren Foundation, often referred to in the region as OneHope Nigeria.
According to him, the foundation remains committed to educational support through the provision of scholarships to young people and the funding of educational materials to bridge learning gaps.
He further disclosed that the foundation has been collaborating with international partners in providing accessible water boreholes and power generators to communities across Enugu State as part of its community development and poverty alleviation initiatives.
He extended heartfelt appreciation to Msgr. Ron Rozniak and the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood, New Jersey, whose consistent support has remained a strong pillar in the foundation’s humanitarian outreach. With deep sincerity, he acknowledged the generosity and commitment of numerous benefactors and friends, including Paul and Becky Simpson, Ceyan, Celine, Christian Clement Birney and his late wife Cynthia-Grace Samson Birney, Becky and John Jordan, James and Janice Mazzo, Ed McCabe, Monica and Ed McCabe, Claire Simpson, Martin Gutierrez and Kathy Hilburn, Mr. Terry Meehan and Dr. Montie Mills Meehan, Adrian and Christina Jones, Brendan McCabe, Mary Czubakowski, Joan Lalonde, David and Frances Romano, James and Susan Swartz, Elaine St. Denis, John Edwards, Claire and Tim Cullen, Mark Mulvey, Kenneth and Lorraine Schmidt, Margaret and Christopher Sullivan, Thomas and Louise Lewis, Connie Hambos, Luis and Susan Taite Malone, Kristin Harvey, Nelson and Diana Torna, Lawrence Mondi, Michael & Colleen Donoghue Mary Hallahan, Martin Mauro, Mark Mansbach, John and Chrissy Gunther, Christine Morin, Kristina Tarabokija, Callaghan-Pierog Family Foundation, Dave Deluca, Dan and Heather Venezia, Thomas Margaret DeVita, Marion Constanza, Ann E. Weaton and Lawrence Mondi, Michael and Nina Conn, Ramon Hache, Diana Pallikaropolous, Bernadette Testa, Christopher Nizza, Joseph Broderick, Francis Callaghan, Jeanne Rothermich, Gregory Viggiano, as well as the board members of the Ridgewood YMCA, members of the Wyckoff/Midland Park Rotary Club, Vincent Egbe, and GB Foods.
He also recognized the invaluable support of Frank Del Vecchio, Frank Skuthan, Jim Blottman, Mitch and Judy Santlofer, Peter and Celeste O’Malley, Steven and Leah Sonnick, Joanne DePaul, Greg and Elizabeth Jasinski, Rosa & Rich Sautner and their daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, whose contributions, donations and prayers have strengthened the foundation’s reach and effectiveness.
Further appreciation was extended to friends and supporters from St. Elizabeth in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and across the state, including Brendan. King. Nanette and Sidney Harris, Sally, Mark, Laura, Philip and Sachiko Calandra, the late Tom Madigan, Lidia and Danilo Tramontozzi, Dolores Caradori, James and Ivette Santoro, Dr. Geraldine Gibbia, Gail and Michael DeVito, Angela and Paul Zapka, Dan and Laurie Kocher, Julia Plunkett, Evan and Cynthia Polihrom, Erik & Elvie Broekhuizen, Luke Scoropanos, Liliana Silevi, Dan and Erin Kirchhoff, Margaret Petkuh, James and Ivette Santoro, James McDermott Jr., Maria and John Jensen, Cynthia O’Brien, Barbara Cheng Kiernan, Maureen Ivers Bolduc, Gina Campanella, Dr. Alba and family, Amal-Amy Salameh, CorCor and family, Danny and Lorraine, Brian & Diane Lynn, Athena & Family, Knight of Columbus of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood, Men’s cornerstone of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood and many other friends whose names could not be mentioned due to space.
The unveiling ceremony attracted an impressive array of dignitaries from different sectors of society.
The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Uche Ugwu, was represented at the event, while the Vice-Chancellor of Peaceland University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Leo Chidi Ilechukwu, also attended through a representative.
Among the distinguished guests present was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of COMAG Construction Limited, Chief Cosmas Agu, who, in a remarkable display of generosity, donated the sum of five million naira to the foundation in support of the academy.
In recognition of his immense contribution and unwavering support for youth development, Chief Cosmas Agu was formally decorated as the Patron of the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy.
Also represented at the event were the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, who was represented by his wife; the Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Engr. Hyginus Agu, represented by his wife; and the Managing Director of Rangers International Football Club, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, who was represented by the club's secretary, the local organising committee members chaired by Dr Collins Ogbu Esq, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Strategic Communications, the outgoing rector, incoming rector, several Bigard Memorial formators and senior seminarians.
Several organisations and individuals also delivered goodwill messages and made donations towards the sustenance and growth of the academy.
Among the supporters were Powell Homes and Shelters, Rangers International Football Club Enugu, Ugo Ferdinand Foundation, COMAG Construction Limited, the Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, and Bradley Academy Enugu.
The event equally featured moving testimonials from two of the young rugby players, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of their colleagues.
The players expressed profound gratitude to Fr. Felix Ugwuozor, the international partners, the coaches, and all stakeholders whose contributions made the establishment of the academy possible.
They particularly appreciated the support of the foreign partners, whom they described as instrumental in bringing the dream of the academy to fruition.
The young athletes further narrated how rugby has transformed their lives by teaching them the values of resilience, teamwork, discipline, hard work, and determination.
According to them, the sport has given them renewed hope, broadened their horizons, and inspired them to aspire to greatness both on and off the field.
The unveiling ceremony also attracted numerous religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, education stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts who unanimously described the establishment of the academy as a historic investment in the future of young people in Enugu State.
With its official launch, the Coal City OneHope Rugby Academy is expected to become a springboard for discovering and nurturing future rugby talents, promoting social inclusion, and positioning Enugu State as an emerging hub for rugby development in Nigeria and beyond.
The successful unveiling of the academy marks not only the birth of a new sporting institution but also the beginning of a transformative movement aimed at empowering young people and creating opportunities through the power of sports.
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