Sports
Nigerian Sports Will Witness Tremendous Progress In 2025 – FG
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to see that sports in Nigeria witness a turnaround in 2025 and beyond.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Zulu, stated this at the final of the maiden FCT Area Council Cup which was held on Sunday at the Apo Football Pitch, Abuja.
Zulu said all necessary plans have been put in place to make sure that youths are positively and productively engaged from the elementary school to higher institutions to participate in sports and chart a career that will benefit them on the long run.
He also assured that the 10-year Sports Master Plan will see the light of the day through the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, the chairman and the Director General respectively.
“My major plan (in 2025) is for us to get it right with grassroots, to understand, to orientate and to lecture them (the youths) on why they have to participate in sports in their various local government to the states.
“And what I mean is that it is high time for us to make sure that our young and talented youths have something doing for themselves, their states and the country. But I’m assuring you that our own plan is to engage the youths from the primary school to tertiary institutions and see that they really particle in sports.
“I want to assure you that the 10-year Master Plan on Sports is surely going to see the light of the day. You have a respected, a reliable and a tested chairman of the National Sports Commission.
“We also have a Director General who has been in sports for the past 30 years and I want to assure you that working together with these two people, our sports will witness a lot of improvement when you talk of grassroots sports rise to the highest level to the elite sports in this country.
“What you see today is the younger generation coming out enmasse to support Mr President. It shows that the President is a grassroots man, it shows that Bitrus is a man of the people, it shows the love he has for Abuja. And very soon, we will see our youths representing the country in international competitions,” the SSA said.
Bitrus Lawrence Garki, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, , who is the organizer of the competition, said it was about giving platform to youths in the FCT to showcase their talents to the world adding that it was a celebratory tournament “to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this landmark achievement which is the local government autonomy and appreciate him for looking at the grassroots and for making a decision that will ensure that development comes to the grassroots directly.”
At the end of hostilities which was competed for by 12 teams, Strikers FC emerged as champions beating Emirates FC by 3 goals to 2 through penalties.
While Strikers FC FC smiled out with N1 million, Emirates FC got N500,000 for their efforts.
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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