Sports

Capital Sportif Celebrates 22nd Founders’ Day with Football, Honours

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2026

Capital Sportiff Sports Club, one of Abuja’s established sports clubs, has celebrated its 22nd anniversary with a colourful Founders’ Day programme featuring exciting football matches and the recognition of outstanding members.

The celebration, held at the New Capital School in Asokoro, the club’s home ground, brought together members to reflect on more than two decades of friendship, fitness and camaraderie. Founded in 2004 by a group of like-minded individuals, the club has grown into a platform that promotes healthy living, togetherness and lasting relationships.

The football matches provided the major attraction, with Team PU, Team AVM and Team Vitus battling in a keenly contested round-robin competition. Team PU opened with a 2-1 victory over Team AVM, while Team Vitus later secured a controversial one-goal win over AVM following a contentious penalty. The final encounter between Team AVM and Team Vitus ended in an entertaining draw.

Reflecting on the club’s journey, founding member Dr Victor Udeh, popularly known as “Machine,” recalled the humble beginnings in 2004 and expressed satisfaction with the club’s growth, while encouraging members to maintain the bond that has sustained Capital Sportiff over the years.

For Nwosu Christian Okechukwu, popularly known as “Get Some” or “DJ Khaled,” the emotion displayed during the matches is part of what makes football special. He said the club was initially created partly to help members stay fit, but has evolved into a strong family of friends who have shared the highs and lows of life together.

He said: “We have fought, grown, stopped fighting, fought again, broken up and made up. We are now more than 20 years old, and it has been a long ride. I wish the club more glory and hope we can bring in more young people to take the baton.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Olafimeji Fabiyi, said the greatest achievement of Capital Sportiff has been its ability to foster friendship, comradeship and family values. He noted that members from different ethnic backgrounds have remained united, with the club also providing a support network for members in times of need.

Fabiyi added that the club hopes to expand into other sports and eventually secure a permanent facility of its own.

Former President Rex Abitogun also commended members for sustaining the club, saying the Founders’ Day celebration provided an opportunity to appreciate those who laid the foundation and to reflect on the challenges overcome over the past two decades.

Immediate Past President, Akpugo Ugochukwu Kennedy, highlighted the passion still displayed by members in their 50s and 60s, saying the emotion remains a vital part of football. He expressed hope that the club would continue to evolve and attract a younger generation.

Director of Sports, Ambrose Okosun, said Capital Sportiff has grown beyond physical fitness to become a strong platform for friendship, networking and mutual support among members.

Prince Leonard Pius Ocheuje said the Founders’ Day was an opportunity to honour the pioneers whose vision gave birth to the club and to appreciate their contribution to its continued growth.

The anniversary celebration also featured the decoration of outstanding members, further underscoring the club’s commitment to recognising service, dedication and contributions to its 22-year journey.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

8 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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