Dr. Ademola Are, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), has vowed to push for the rapid growth of rugby in West Africa following his election as the 1st Vice President of the Union of West African Rugby Federations (UWARF).
Speaking via phone after the historic election in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Are expressed enthusiasm about the future of the sport in the region.
“It’s time to get to work,” he declared. “We are excited about the efforts and support from leaders like Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah to ensure rugby thrives across the continent.
The West African region has a lot of catching up to do, especially when we look at the progress in Southern, Eastern, and Northern Africa.
This newly formed executive board is the first step toward galvanizing the growth of the game in our region. I have implicit trust in the Union President to lead us forward, and we are fully committed to supporting initiatives that will bring rugby to its rightful place in West Africa.”
Dr. Are emphasized that his election is not just a personal achievement but an opportunity to unlock new possibilities for aspiring rugby professionals across Nigeria and the region.
“This opportunity to serve at the West African level will open doors for young aspiring Nigerians—coaches, instructors, referees, first aiders, and many others—to benefit from the opportunities that will arise through my emergence as the 1st Vice President of the Union,” he added.
The election in Abidjan brought together rugby federation leaders from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Niger Republic, and Senegal. The meeting marked a significant step in sub-regional sports diplomacy, fostering international cooperation and driving the expansion of rugby competitions in the region.
In the election results, Côte d’Ivoire Rugby President Lucas Gnogbo Kore was elected as UWARF President, while Dr. Ademola Are secured the 1st Vice President position. Other key appointments included Burkina Faso as 2nd Vice President, Mali as 3rd Vice President, Niger Republic as Secretary-General, Benin as Treasurer, and Ghana as the Athletes’ Representative.
Nigeria’s delegation to Côte d’Ivoire included Dr. Ademola Are, General Manager Azeez Lawal, and Chief Operating Officer Hon. Tunde Delu. Their presence underscored Nigeria’s dedication to fostering rugby’s growth at both the national and regional levels.
With this new leadership structure in place, West African rugby is poised for transformation. Dr. Are’s election marks the beginning of a new era, with a united vision aimed at developing talent, expanding competitions, and elevating the sport across the region.
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