Crossword Genius

Appreciation of program by competitor, one who is old (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

approval

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'appreciation' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'program by competitor one who is old' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'program' could be 'app' (type of computer program) and 'app' is found in the answer.
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is found in the answer.
'old' could be 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English) and 'o' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for approval that I've seen before include "Green light" , "Favourable opinion, esteem" , "Favourable judgement" , "Consent or sanction" , "Favourable opinion or official permission" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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