Rugby League action will return to the University of Ghana Rugby pitch in Legon on Sunday after two teams forfeited their week 11 clashes.
Facing challenges with injuries, UG Titans and Dragons forfeited their games against Skolars and Accra Panthers.
According to the organisers, Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG), UG Titans and Dragons were unable to field the required 17 players for their respective fixtures due to injuries and players’ unavailability due to the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Titans missed their captain, George Quist, and others including George Tetteh, Farouk Raji, Henry Johnson and Razak Iddrisu with Dragons’ having the likes of Prosper Ashong, William Pearce-Biney, Kofi Adusei and Benjamin Fiawoo on their absentees list.
Thought the situation was reported, the forfeiture will count as a loss for the teams as their opponents, Skolars and Accra Panthers, were credited a 30-0 walkover victory each and three points each.
Speaking to The Times Sports, Head Coach of Titans, Nasiru Aminu, expressed frustration at the development, stating that “It’s always disappointing when we cannot honour a fixture, but the health and safety of our players must come first. We are dealing with several injuries to key players; it would have been unfair to risk them or play short.”
According to him, they will regroup and come back stronger in the subsequent fixtures.
The Head Coach of Dragons, Julius Fiakpornu, said it was not a situation they envisaged, but sometimes circumstances were beyond their control.
He said team’s case worsened with the involvement of their players’ involvement in the WASSCE. A chunk of the players are from of La Presby Senior High (PRESEC-La) and Awutu Winton Senior High School.
But according to the RLFG, the competition would continue with the week 12 fixtures that would pitch Bulls against Tigers while Skolars clash with the Dragons.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
