NRFF Wants Minister To Rescind Dissolution Of Federations

Rugby Africa yesterday wrote to the Federal MinistryYouth Sports Development to reconsider its dissolution of 31 national sports federations, including the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).
Khaled Babbou, the President of Rugby Africa, in the letter warned that failure to reconsider the decision would lead to the NRFF being suspended from Rugby Africa and World Rugby.
“We have learnt about the dissolution of the board of 31 sports federations, including the Rugby Federation, to be replaced by handpicked caretaker committees.
“We humbly remind the honourable Minister that the Constitution of the NRFF which was ratified at a general meeting held in Lagos on March 3 2018 by national, regional and global representatives and the Nigeria Olympic Committee were present as well.
“At the meeting, it was specifically stipulated, the time and modalities for the election for a new board of the NRFF which must be held by a duly constituted Annual General Meeting,’’ the president said.
Babbou said the dissolution of the NRFF was against the stipulation of the federation.
“The dissolution of the duly elected board of the NRFF is against the stipulation of the approved constitution and it is disruptive for the union’s operations.
“Consequently, we have no choice but to impose an immediate suspension of Nigeria’s participation in all Rugby Africa and World Rugby activities until further notice.
“We do appeal in all sincerity that the ministry allows the federation to follow its approved constitution.
“Rugby Afrique avails itself of this opportunity of assuring the honourable minister of its highest consideration,’’ he said.
Tidesports reports that the Minister, Sunday Dare, had said the dissolution was according to the provisions of the Olympic Charter.
“The tenure of National Olympic Sports Federations in Nigeria has come to an end, and there is a need for transition from old board to new boards,’’he said.