Sports

Gumel Meets Bach, Extracts Further Support From IOC For NOC In 2022

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2022

In a bid to build a more virile relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel met with His Excellency, Thomas Bach, the President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) to discuss ways in which the IOC can aid in the development of sports in Nigeria.

The meeting which took place in Beijing, China during the current 2022 Winter Olympics was held at the instance of the IOC President who discussed the need for mutual understanding, good relationship and further improvement of the Olympic movement in Nigeria.

In a release signed by Phemmy Adetula, Public Relations Officer, NOC; which stated that the meeting between both parties went well and quoted the NOC President, Gumel saying “I met with His Excellency, Thomas Bach, the President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) to discuss the way forward for Olympic movement in Nigeria. There are a lot of programmes and activities the NOC has highlighted for this year. In fact, we have done the Olympic Solidarity/NOC Sports Administration Course for Sports Administrators/officers of Nigeria Association of Physical & Health Education (NAPHER-SD) and other sport organisations for three days in January 2022. Others are awaiting approval and we are introducing more for all the sporting spheres in Nigeria. So, these and many more are what we discussed”.

Nigeria is competing for the second consecutive time at the Winter Games with Samuel Ikpefan, a male athlete in cross-country skiing. Also, Seun Adigun, who competed in 2018 in the sport Bobsleigh was the teams’ doctor and as well carried the Nigerian flag during the opening ceremony in Beijing, China.

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Sports

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

Published

15 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.

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