Sports

Asuquo, Eto, Okocha, others bag Goal Africa All-Time Personality award

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

One of the certified Gymnastics Coaches and Founder of the Tony Asuquo Gymnastics Club TIG of Nigeria, Anthony Asuquo, has been listed along with Samuel Eto, Jay Jay Okocha, Late Samuel Okwaraji, Kanu Nwankwo and others, for Goal African all- time personality awards.

Coach Asuquo was nominated, courtesy of his massive contribution to the growth and development of gymnastics in the country, Africa, and the world.

The event will come up on Thursday at Transcorp Hilton, in Abuja, where legends like Jay-Jay Okocha, Samuel Eto, Coach Tony Asuquo, Nwankwo Kanu, Drogba, and other host sports icons will be honored for their contributions to the development of the Sports sector.

Coach Asuquo, while speaking ahead of the awards, told AljazirahNigeria Sports that it’s very clear that people around the world are following his struggles toward gymnastics development.

According to him, what surprises me most is that, when many were given awards in Nigeria, I was not there but, my joy is that people around the world are following my developmental project and they have come to recognize me, for that alone, I feel great and fulfilled.

When asked reasons behind his sacrifice for the game, he replied: “I am taking the blow because of children and unconditional love of gymnastics.

“God has used me to contribute a lot to the growth of gymnastics, we raise and nurture thousands of athletes, we have to raised Olympic players, we are exposing the children to the game, we have represented this country at almost all the levels of competitions; in-country, continental and the world. We are professional, we have raised national and international champions, though my effort is not recognized by the sports administrators, but I will not relent. Infact, this award have singled me out.”

He expressed that the merit award will spur him to do more for the game of gymnastics.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

14 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

Share on Facebook