The newly-formed Ethiopia rugby league has taken further positive steps following the completion of a visit by RLEF Middle East Africa Regional Director Remond Safi. He was based in the sport’s new stronghold, the city of Mekelle in the State of Tigray, where an excited crowd watched the first match officially played.

SOS School of Mekelle narrowly defeated Nicolas Robinson School in front of Tigray Sports Bureau officials, other schools’ sports teachers - including the Nicholas Robinson School Principal - and  Rainbows 4 Children representatives.  

More importantly than the result, the sporting but fiercely competitive match was controlled by qualified Ethiopian match officials and the sides were prepared by local coaches, graduates of the RLEF Level 1 Coaching Course taught by Safi.  

“It was overwhelming to see the enthusiasm applied by the Mekelle sports teachers in learning rugby league”, Safi said. “With the direction of Ahmed Abubeker and his colleagues, along with the guidance of the Region Tigray sports bureau, I have no doubt that we will see the sport develop into neighbouring states in the country.”

The rugby league coaching course was hosted at Nicolas Robinson School by Abubeker Ahmed, president of the Tigray association. “We are very grateful for the help of the Tigray state government, who have pioneered support for this important sport and for the unceasing support of Nicolas Robinson School”, Ahmed added.

The coaching course had sixteen participants from Tigray schools, thirteen male and three female, all of whom graduated with the top two places in the written examination being women. The same sixteen coaches then took the RLEF Match Officials course, again all passing.