Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has described as ‘massive’ the emergence of the president of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr Ademola Are, as the first vice president of the Union of West African Rugby Federations.

Are, who has been at the forefront of revamping the country’s rugby, was elected alongside other executives in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire at the weekend.

Olopade described Are as a visionary and innovative sports administrator, saying that his victory is a testament to the hard work currently going on in the Nigeria Rugby family since he became its president.

“This is very massive for the continuous growth of rugby in the country because the NRFF president can now use his current position to seek different intentional collaborations that will strengthen the growth of the sports, both locally and in the West African sub-region.

“For us at the National Sports Commission, these are the kind of feats we want our sports administrators to strive for and get actively involved in international politics.”

Olopade added that the victory is also a big boost for the RHINSE campaign “because having Nigerians holding key positions in continental and regional sports bodies will help the chances of bringing international competitions to the country.”

By Gowon Akpodonor