English rugby player of Nigerian descent, Maro Itoje, has been named European Player of the Year after winning the sixth Nations Cup with his England team.
This is contained in a statement signed by Olatunji Fasimoye, technical director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation in Lagos on Tuesday.
The statement posits that Nigerians are naturally fit for rugby and in few years will be rated next to South Africa the game is given the needed attention.
“There have been a large number of Nigerian-born eligible players who have for a variety of reasons opted to play for other nations,” Fasimoye said.
“We believe with the right funding, we will be able to have these players play for the Black Stallions in the nearest future. We must improve our scouting program and deal with issues that border around insurance and early preparation for tournaments.”
According to the statement, the 21-year-old, who plays for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and for England, was born in Camden, North London, where his parents Efe and Florence moved to after marrying in Nigeria.
Itoje was also last week named the Rugby Players’ Association Young Player of the Year. He follows in the footsteps of previous English winners Nick Abendanon, Steffon Armitage and Jonny Wilkinson but insists his game remains work in progress.
“I feel I’m nowhere near where I think I can be. I think there’s a lot to come. I am still young and there’s still a hell of a lot of things I need to work on,” he said.
