Sports
Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation Set to Host Kingsley Awodi Open Championship in Abuja
The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation has finalized plans to host the Kingsley Iwodi Para-Powerlifting Open Championship, scheduled to take place from 30th April to 4th May, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package ‘B’, Abuja.
The championship is expected to bring together some of Nigeria’s finest para-powerlifting athletes, further reinforcing the country’s dominance in the sport on the global stage.
Arrival of athletes and officials is slated for 30th April, with competitions running from 1st to 3rd May, while departure is scheduled for 4th May, 2026.
Top athletes expected to feature at the championship include world champions and decorated lifters such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Esther Oyema, Riluwan Idris, and Ogundolie Tolulope.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo, the current world champion in the +86kg category, continues to set the standard globally and was recently nominated into the Athletes’ Representative Forum of the World Para Powerlifting Organisation (WPPO), a recognition of her excellence and leadership in the sport.
Esther Oyema of Edo State, remains one of Nigeria’s most accomplished para-athletes. She is the reigning world champion in the 55kg category, having successfully defended her title at the 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt. Born on April 20, 1982, Oyema began her sporting journey in 2000, where she immediately made an impact by setting an African record at her first tournament. Since then, she has consistently dominated the sport, winning multiple gold medals across major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
She is also a three-time Commonwealth champion, with remarkable achievements in the 50kg category.
The Kingsley Iwodi Open Championship is expected to serve as a critical platform for talent discovery, athlete development, and preparation for upcoming international competitions. It also underscores Nigeria’s continued commitment to excellence in para-sports and inclusive athletic development.
The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation invites stakeholders, sports enthusiasts, and the general public to witness this exciting display of strength, resilience, and national pride.
Sports
From Boardroom To Battlefield: Corporate Giants Trade Deals For Goals As Third Edition Of Corporate Stars League Kicks Off
Joel Ajayi
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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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