Sports

Rousing Reception As ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy touches down Abuja

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2023

Joel Ajayi

It was a Celebration Galore, excitement to the core and fun as the original ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy made a second triumphant entry to Nigeria for the second time in four years.

The trophy which weighs about 11 kilograms and stands at 650mm-has a golden globe held by three silver columns and was displayed at the symbolic Zuma Rock of the Federal Capital Territory by ICC and Nigeria Cricket Federation officials.

The World Cup trophy arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, amidst celebration as the trophy made its way to popular Zuma Rock In Zuba before it was displayed inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Nigeria’s Capital city where fans, and stakeholders, had a glance of the most prestigious trophy in the game of cricket.

The trophy will leave for Lagos on Wednesday, August 30th, where a reception has been planned by the Lagos cricket community at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

The trophy which departs from Lagos on Wednesday will continue its tour of 18 countries with an imminent arrival in South Africa on Thursday. The silverware was launched into the stratosphere completing 120,000 feet above the earth before a groundbreaking landing at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Receiving the trophy on behalf of the Federal government inside Abuja National Stadium, Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh whose joy was visible commended ICC and Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for steadily improving the game with regular activities.

Minister assured of the readiness of the current administration in developing sports in Nigeria. “My hope is that we are going to break new ground and make sports actually become what it should be in terms of job creation, security amongst others.

“The tour is very significant and Nigeria is privileged to be among the two countries in Africa to have the trophy. As Minister, I will give all the support to be part of the success and growth of all the sports federations.”

He congratulated Nigerians on the hostage.

Also speaking an excited President of Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF, Uyi Akpata said: Cricket has been making remarkable progress in the last five years saying that the federation will not relent in its effort to ensure more growth of the cricket in the country and beyond.

He attributed the second coming of the trophy to Nigeria’s rising profile in the game.

“Today, the Cricket trophy is here and we are happy and its an opportunity to show our culture and our strength as a nation.

“Certainly, Nigeria won’t take back foot again in cricket, rather we will continue to initiate developmental programs geared towards popularizing the game, and we have set another target of recruiting 500, 000 Nigerians into the game every year as of 2024.” He said.

However, NCF has introduced over one million entrants to cricket in the last four years.

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Sports

Tangerine APT Pension Crowned New Kings of PFA Games 2025

Published

2 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Joel Ajayi Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

From the first whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic.

They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

The rest of the table saw fierce competition:4th – Norrenberger Pension: 52 points, 5th – Premium Pension: 47 points, 6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points, 7th – Access Arm: 41 points
In Others position 8th – Trustfund Pension: 29 points 9th – PENCOM: 28 points and 10th – NUPEMCO: 25 points.

With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall:Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

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