The Ivorian Olympic Committee has honoured Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa, with a special award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in unifying, developing, and promoting rugby across the African continent.

The award was presented during a courtesy visit to the Olympic Committee’s headquarters in Abidjan.

Herbert Mensah was accompanied by rugby federation presidents from several West African nations, including Togo, Benin, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, and Côte d'Ivoire.

The President of the Ivorian Olympic Committee, joined by his first and second vice presidents as well as the treasurer, commended Herbert for his leadership in fostering growth and collaboration within African rugby.

He emphasised the significance of the presence of multiple West African rugby leaders, which highlighted the collective commitment to advancing the sport in the region.

In his acceptance remarks, Herbert Mensah expressed gratitude for the support rugby has received from the Olympic movement.

He noted that some national Olympic committees have played a crucial role in rugby development, with financial backing ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 annually.

He urged further collaboration between the Olympic committees and the rugby community to secure funding and enhance the sport’s standards across the continent.

Earlier in the day, Herbert Mensah and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Sports, Silas Adjé Metch, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting rugby development in the country and the wider region.

The visit to Abidjan coincided with the launch of a new West African Rugby Union to be held Friday morning, a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the sport’s presence and impact across the sub-region.