The CEO of Thevoicesnews, an activist, and journalist who is a lover of Rugby Sports, Comrade Ajao Musa Bolaji has urged Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the commissioner for Youth and sports in Oyo State, Hon. Adegoke Wasilat, Oyo State Sports Council, and other dept/agencies related to sports in Oyo State to review and restructure the Rugby and shooting board in Oyo State after its first launching in 2017.
It would be recalled that; On the 20th of September 2017, Ibadan got its first Rugby, Shooting Board launching.
As part of the efforts to make rugby a popular sport in Oyo State, the then state’s Commissioner of Sports, Abayomi Oke at the weekend inaugurated new rugby and shooting boards at the state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oke said the inauguration was in line with the state government’s plan to produce motalentnts in all sports. In 2017, The board of the Oyo State Rugby Federatiwas was made up of Jide Afolabtalentrman), Sola Rogers (Vice Chairman), Wale Agbaje, Niyi Alebiosu, Ayo Owasndele, Damola Layade, and Tony Akwosa. In 2023, Ajao Musa Bolaji rose to take a bull by the horns, to bring back Rugby and Shooting board back to Oyo State.
Speaking at a Rugby event in Lagos, (Nigeria Vs Ghana), Ajao stated that; “I came here to watch the match between Nigeria Vs Ghana (Both the Men’s & women’s match), to gain more experience and also bring the glory of Rugby back to Oyo State”.
“Ajao urged the state govt to review Rugby in Oyo State after its first launching, shooting board In 2017 in other to allow the talented once in Oyo State to showcase their talents and to develop Rugby at the grassroots across the state”.
He stated that, “Part of my plans is to make Rugby becomes one of the biggest game played in Oyo state”.
“I use this opportunity to call on Oyo state commissioner for Youth & Sports, Hon. Wasilat, the Oyo state sports council and other dept/agencies related to sports in Oyo state to review and restructure Rugby and shooting board in Oyo State to join hand in my efforts to reclaim our pride of place in Nigerian sports”.
“I assure the govt of adequate support, focusing more on youth development, woo sponsors to help the associations organise more competitions once the new rugby and shooting board are review and restructure in Oyo state”.
“Am also assuring the govt of affiliate with international & location rugby unions, leagues and other rugby academy associations, through the Oyo State Rugby Board”.
“Although, Rugby was banned for almost 5 years in Nigeria before the ban was later lifted, with the help and support of Former captain of the Nigerian Rugby National Team; Azeez Ladipo who was appointed to the Nigeria Olympic Committee Athletes Commission”.
“When he was appointed as General Manager of the Rugby Federation he worked tirelessly towards the lifting of Nigeria’s ban by World Rugby in November 2022”.
“In addition, The role of late Mr. Jide Afolabi of blessed memory can’t be forgotten in Oyo State Rugby”. “The role of Mr. Gboyega Makinde as a Board member of the NRFF representing South West can’t be overlooked”.
“The efforts of the likes of Mr. Ade Adebisi, the Vice Chairman Nigeria Rugby League (NRL), Lashley Oladigbolu, Content Manager for the Nigeria Rugby League (NRL) for Rugby to be back to Oyo State can’t be an oversight, he added”.
