Sports

All Stars Invitational Football Tournament winner to get N500,000

Published

3 years ago

July 10, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Organizer of the 2023 edition of Abuja All Stars invitational football tournament have revealed that the winner will smile home with N500,000

The improved package means the runners up will go home with N350,000 as third position will pocketed N250,000.

16 teams composed of Veterans footballers, coaches, past veterans will tackle each other in the three months mouth-watering tournament inside the prestigious main bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Package, from July 15th 2023 to September 2023, every Saturday.

The Draw Ceremony for the tournament held at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in the federal capital territories on Monday where the defending champions All Stars Abuja will play Lugbe All Stars in the opening Games of the tourney

Speaking shortly after the draw, the Chairman of the local Organising Committee LOC, Desmond Ikwuje, said the committee has perfected every strategy toward the smooth and success of the 3^rd edition of the tournament.

“We should expect glamour, we should expect the excitement that comes with the game of football, we should expect the principle of fair play which the games imply.

“We should expect a large turnout, last year we have 12 teams, this year we have 16 teams, up until now clubs are still coming but we said no, we only plan for 16 teams and because of expected numbers that is why, we able to get the Moshood Abiola stadium, Main bowl that have more facilities to accommodate the number of spectators.”

Speaking about the prize, the LOC Chairman said: “There is an upgrade of what we had last year, the winner this year will smile home about 500, 000, second position is 350,000 and third position will take home 250,000.”

LOC Chairman who is also a player of Abuja All Star Football club also boasted that his team will win the trophy: “We are defending champion, and we have won it back to back no doubt, and we hope to win the trophy again, we are fully prepared for the tournament.” He said

The 16 teams were grouped into 4 groups.

Group A: Nyanya All Stars, Likeminds All Star football club of Kuje, Gwagwalada All Star FC, and Ex professional players

In group B: the corporate kicker sports club CKSC, Jabi All Stars, MC Steve FC and CC FC old timers Gwagwalada

Group C: have All Stars International Football Club, Lugbe All Stars, Games Villages FC and Capital Sportif

While Group D: Unity Sports Foundation, Apo fitness Football Club, Kuje All Stars and Selected All Stars.

The two top teams in each group qualify for the quarter-final.

Meanwhile, All-star with slogan: “Football for peace, unity and togetherness”

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

18 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

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