Sports

Gumel assures RENISA of support, says retired athletes deserve the best

Published

5 months ago

June 4, 2026

President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has assured the Association of Retired Sports Men and Women in Nigeria (RENISA) of the Commission’s support saying those who have flown the Nigerian flag in the past deserves maximum respect and attention.

Gumel stated this while playing host to RENISA’s delegation led by its President and former Nigerian athlete, Sunday Adeleye, on Thursday in Abuja.

He described RENISA as a very important body whose membership spreads across the nook and cranny of the country and even outside saying the Association will provide a recognisable platform for former athletes to be seen after retirement from sports.

The NOC boss, who said RENISA couldn’t have come at a better time, promised to provide all the necessary support for the association as he commended Adeleye and his executive for their sacrifice to see to the welfare of their retired colleagues

He said, “Let me sincerely from the bottom of my heart congratulate you for being the founding father of this most and very important association. I pray that God will continue to guide you in what you have done.

There are very many members of this association in this country, millions not thousands. What you have done is something that will go a long way and continue during our time and even the next generation.

“It’s an association that will help people. Many of these retired sports men and women are suffering because when you see them you will pity them. They don’t have anything and nobody cares about them. Nobody is thinking about them. But with this, by the time you start making some activities and creating awareness, the private sector who have interest in sports will be able to contribute when you approach them. Such contribution will definitely create a lot of impact and help this innocent people because they served the country.”

Gumel added, “But unfortunately for one reason or the other, the country is not remembering them. But now that you’ve decided to set this up, and I’m happy that it is in the Act establishing the National Sports Commission (NSC) which means government is aware of it.

“So the government, the NOC, all organisations will rally round to make sure that you get the needed support to touch the lives of these people all over the country to make them relevant so that they are remembered for the services they’ve rendered to the country. They did well and promoted the image of the country.

“I want to assure you that we from the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will do our best. I’m happy with this your letter and definitely we’ll write a letter of commendation and not only that, any activities that you have, try as much as possible to involve us. Any contribution we can make within our powers, we’ll do it to the best of our ability to support the association.

“We are always available for you and to support you anywhere and even internationally outside the country. We can be able to introduce you to ANOCA. I must commend you for this effort, this is a sacrifice because you’re not being paid salary but just to support which is very good. Your reward will come from God and God Almighty will continue to guide you, bless you so that the association will become stronger and the generation unborn will build on the foundation you’ve laid today.”

In his remarks, Adeleye said the visit was to acquaint the NOC with the activities of RENISA as well as seek the support of the Commission going forward.

He said the Association was backed by the Act establishing the NSC and its aim was primarily to support former athletes to live a better life after their years of service to motherland. He informed the NOC president that RENISA will be having its maiden Sports Fiesta from 17th to 26th September, 2027 in Abuja where members will compete in 17 sports.

“We said it’s necessary for us to come as an association to familiarise with the NOC, to seek your guidance, blessing and support. The Association of Retired Nigerian Sports Men and Women has been in existence since 2019 under my leadership as the founder. And we’ve tried our best to reach out to supporting some of our members that are not able to meet up because we understand how the world of sports operate. Where we make so much or few of us make so much and at the end of the day it’s even nothing to write home about when we are retired.

A good number of us miss that aspect of investment and building our future. We look at all these things where we have sports men and women that have done this country great die because of N10,000 to pay hospital bills.

Some of us have not being able e to train our children again because we believe that once we take sports as career in Africa or Nigeria, we don’t do any other thing we just feel it’s forever but at the end of the day when the time comes to stop, there is nothing to fall back to. This affects the family and the welfare of most of our colleagues.

That’s we said we have to rally round ourselves because nobody is going to do it for us. We have to and we’ll do it for ourselves with the support of people like you, the NOC and of course, the Sports Commission. We’re partners in progress and here to complement your efforts. Because we know that the burden upon the NOC and the NSC is big.

You’re thinking of grassroots, intermediary, elites and if we now heap our own problems which are bigger than the ones you are already handling, the whole system will collapse. Fortunately, we are in the Act of the National Sports Commission as a body and recognised by law which is also part of the document we are presenting to you.

Our Sports Fiesta is coming up next year between 17th and 26th September, 2027 here in Abuja. We are going to have 17 sports for the first edition and will come with awards for people like you that have been contributing to sports and never given up on us, the sports people. We are relying on your support in terms of grants and whatever way we are going to reach out to other sources of income which we’ll also channel through the NOC.

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Sports

From Boardroom To Battlefield: Corporate Giants Trade Deals For Goals As Third Edition Of Corporate Stars League Kicks Off

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

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‎Ten corporate giants are preparing to swap boardroom meetings, spreadsheets and strategy decks for football boots, tactical battles and bragging rights as the Corporate Stars League returns with a promise of fierce competition, corporate networking and business deals that could extend beyond the touchline.
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‎For five weekends, beginning Saturday, October 24, 2026, participating organisations will battle for supremacy on the pitch, where boardroom influence counts for little without teamwork, skill, determination and the ability to find the back of the net.
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‎This year, new contenders have thrown their hats into the ring, hoping to dethrone defending champions Norrenberger and prevent them from making it back-to-back titles.
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‎But Norrenberger are not surrendering their crown without a fight. Their representative, Victor Olamide Mattews, insists the champions are ready to defend their title, warning challengers that stopping them will be no easy task.
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‎The company’s ambition to simplify wealth creation and champion inclusive financial solutions appears to extend beyond the financial market, with the champions eager to establish their dominance on the football pitch as well.
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‎Telecommunications giant MTN, whose slogan is “Everywhere You Go,” will also be looking to make a stronger impression after falling short last season. Their representative, Abubakar Bako says the team is returning with renewed determination, hoping to improve its performance and ensure that this time, its presence is felt across the competition.
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‎The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) is also taking its reach beyond financial statements and revenue collection to test its strength on the pitch. But whether its reform-driven approach can translate into football success remains another ball game entirely.
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‎Meanwhile, the representative of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), David Idakwo, says although this is the organisation’s first appearance in the competition, the team is ready to learn and challenge established conventions.
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‎Similarly, Hassan Haruna of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) says the organisation hopes to translate its financial discipline into tactical precision, sound decision-making and a winning performance on the pitch.
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‎Then comes Beer and Barn, ready to bring its own flavour to the contest. Beyond the football, the hospitality brand offers grilled pub meals, shawarma, live-band performances and energetic DJ nights. Its representatives will hope to make their presence felt on the pitch as much as they do in the entertainment and hospitality scene.
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‎However, the competition is not just about goals, celebrations and corporate bragging rights. With the Nigeria Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Pension Commission (PenCom) and Jaiz Bank also among the participating organisations, the banter is already gathering momentum.
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‎From playful jibes about power supply and infrastructure to pension benefits, investment decisions and corporate expansion, the pre-tournament exchanges have added another layer of excitement to a competition where professional rivalries will temporarily give way to football banter.
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‎But when the whistle blows, the real talking will have to be done with the ball. Every misplaced pass, missed chance and defensive lapse could prove costly, while a moment of brilliance could separate champions from challengers.
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‎Speaking after the draws and unveiling of the teams, 5Stars Operations Manager, Misal Dikko, said this year’s edition promises a higher level of competition, with more participating teams and increased expectations from corporate management.
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‎“We are going to have an interesting competition, especially with the number of participating teams and the level of expectations from management. They have shown they are ready to put their money where their mouth is by supporting their teams with all the necessary logistics,” Dikko said.
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‎With ten corporate teams preparing to battle over five weekends, the Corporate Stars League promises more than football. It is a meeting point for competition, camaraderie, networking and business opportunities.
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‎For the defending champions, the mission is to protect their crown. For the challengers, it is a chance to rewrite the story. And for every team, the ultimate objective is clear: turn corporate ambition into football glory.
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