Nigeria Rugby Football Federation President Dr. Ademola Aré has warned rugby clubs and stakeholders against operating outside recognised state association structures, insisting that continued disregard for established administration could slow the development of the sport in Nigeria.
Aré issued the warning following complaints from sports directors and commissioners in some states about clubs carrying out activities without working with their respective state rugby associations.
For the NRFF president, clubs seeking national recognition must first establish a functional relationship with the structures responsible for rugby within their states.
“To get into the national federation, you need to align with state associations,” Aré said.
“Unfortunately, some club owners are not doing this, yet they want to travel abroad to represent the country.”
Aré believes such practices create unnecessary conflict between clubs, state associations, sports councils and the national federation.
“They keep forgetting the basic things, which makes them work at cross purposes with the federation, and it is rugby that suffers,” he added.
The warning comes as the NRFF pushes to expand rugby at grassroots level and strengthen its presence within Nigeria’s national sporting structures. The federation has also recently invested in training coaches, referees and medical personnel, with Aré urging those beneficiaries to work closely with their state associations and communities.
Aré said cooperation at state level could also strengthen the federation’s attempts to secure greater recognition for rugby in national competitions.
“If they did, it would be easier for the sport to gain wider acceptance, and we would not need to fight every time for recognition,” he said.
The NRFF president went further, saying clubs seeking to travel internationally should obtain clearance from their state association and the national federation.
“Enough of this disregard for constituted authority,” Aré declared. “All stakeholders must respect the structures put in place for the proper administration and development of rugby in Nigeria.”
With Nigeria targeting continued international growth and ultimately an Olympic pathway, Aré’s message is that progress on the field must be matched by stronger organisation off it.
