Sports

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

Published

3 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

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

Published

1 day 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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