'Get into Rugby' ends 2017 on high note in Accra

The year ended on a high note in Accra when Ghana Rugby held a "Get Into Rugby" (GIR) year-end festival at the Kanda Cluster of Schools on Wednesday 12th December 2017.

The schools involved in rugby ended the term with a touch rugby competition among boys and girls. It is the third time the program was held at the Kanda Cluster of schools.

Participating schools included the Islamic Training Institute, Al-Waleed Comprehensive Islamic Basic school, Kanda 3&5 JHS, Kanda '1' Basic, Kanda A.M.A JHS and Aggrey Memorial International School.

Each school presented two teams, boys and girls, with 12 players in each side making up a total of 96 participants in the event.

The first round match was between the Islamic training Institute against Al-Waleed. In Group B Kanda 3&5 JHS played against Kanda '1' Basic boys and girls.

The winner in Group A played against the winner group B while the losers competed against each other in round two.

The winner in the girls' group was Kanda 3&5 JHS with the second position going to Islamic Training Institute. The third position went to Kanda '1' Basic while Al-waleed Comprehensive Islamic Basic school ended fourth.

The winner in the Boys group was the Islamic Training Institute with Kanda '1' Basic second, Kanda 3&5 JHS third and Al-Waleed Comprehensive Islamic Basic school fourth.

Rafatu Inusah, Ghana Rugby Board Member GIR Development Officer, said that she saw a massive improvement in most of the players from all schools.

"Both boys and girls performed very well, and it was an achievement for not only me but for Ghana Rugby as a whole," Inusah said.

The event was also covered by AFP (Agence France Presse) who interviewed some of the students from various schools.

Memunatu from Kanda 3&5 JHS said that she loves to play rugby because it is a friendly and exciting game for not only boys but girls as well.

Development Officers who took part in the festival included from Ms Rafatu Inusah, Ms Kadija Adams, Mr Francis Donkor, Mr Emmanuel Kalos, Mr Philip Asomani and some players from Conquerors Sporting Club. The event was also captured by Ghana Rugby's photographer, Mr Chika Israel.

Ms Inusah told the students always to be united as one big rugby family.

She again emphasised values of rugby of respect, integrity, solidarity, discipline and passion to them.

Inusah also cautioned the students to take good care of themselves as they are going for the Christmas holidays and to welcome the new year with a renewed energy.

"I am grateful to God for a successful program and also want to thank all who supported the event, especially the President and Board Chairman, Mr Herbert Mensah.