The president of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr Ademola Are has revealed that the country has leapt to an amazing third position on the world scale regarding developmental and ‘rising’ aspects of the gritty sport.
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Dr. Are disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Sports247, during which he thanked everyone who has supported him and contributed to his achievements since he mounted the NRFF’s saddle in 2021.
The former co ordinator of North West zone in the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports, who is currently enjoying his second term as NRFF president, also thanked the former minister, Chief Sunday Dare for making his election possible.
Are recalled with nostalgia, “Coming into rugby was a deliberate move for me, because the then honourable minister, Chief Sunday Dare wanted me to go and sanitise the place to the best of my ability and administrative experience.
“He urged me to make sure everything is going well in rugby – without litigation, noise or rancour. He wanted me to take peace making efforts there and settle everything.
“Thank God, all negative issues have been put under the carpet through constant dialogue and reaching out to major stakeholders.”
Are, who is also currently the first vice-president of the Union of West African Rugby Federations also reeled out some of the major achievements he has been able to pull off since taking over the mantle of Nigerian rugby after retiring from the sports ministry.
“Nigerian rugby has been able to rise slowly but surely. From zero level, we are now number seven in Africa and number three for Rugby Rising in the world.
“We are also one of the five most advancing and fast developing countries in terms of age-group events across the world. We are doing our best, but I know we can do better,” submitted Are.
He, however, confessed that the biggest hurdle facing the NRFF is funding, which he admitted is limiting his efforts at taking the sport to a higher level than where it is at present.
*Catch part one of the full interview in UNSCRIPTED, a special human angle package by Sports247.
