World Rugby To Lift Ban On Nigeria In May - NRFF President

World Rugby To Lift Ban On Nigeria In May - NRFF President

By Niyi Busari

President, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Ademola Are, is optimistic that the World Rugby will lift the ban imposed on the Federation in May, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Nigeria was banned following government interference when the Ministry of Sports announced the Caretaker Committee ahead of September 2021 Federation Elective Congress.

Meanwhile, the President of the Federation, Ademola Are has said that the ban will be lifted during the World Congress coming up in May.

"The World Congress coming up in May is where the ban on Nigeria will be lifted and until the ban is lifted, our source of income is actually limited." Ademola Are told journalists in Abuja.

He added, "We need the funds from intetnational body, from spirited individuals and most especially We Need funds from the Ministry of Sports. There really nothing We can do without the Ministry.

"Now that the constitution has been passes in our Congress in Edo, We have sent a copy of the constitution, minute of the Meeting to the International body and the Rugby Africa will then send it to the World Rugby and the World Rugby will have the Congress in May. Feelers getting from President of Federations in Africa, they are very eager for Nigeria to come back because they believe We have the population, the economy and large pool of players to tap from. So, they are eager to bring Nigeria back to the fold.

"We needed to put up an acceptable constitution which is also acceptable to the Ministry of Sports to Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and to Rugby Africa. And the constitution is expected to be owned by all stakeholders. We were able to put up a draft which We sent to the Ministry and the International body for necessary input. After their input we called for Congress in Edo State on 24th March, 2022. At the Congress 34 States were present and all the delegates proffered their opinions regarding the constitution and at the end of the day, We had unanimous decision to pass the constitution

"Also, at the venue, we had a Board Meeting which looks into the area where the board could co-opt three Members into the board. These are people who could add value to Rugby in Nigeria and Africa.

"The board appointed Mr Johnson who Is the Head Coach of Police Team as the Technical Director and Mr Azeez as the General Manager." He concluded.