Sports

Sports Minister Congratulates NOC President Gumel Over Award

Published

4 years ago

June 7, 2022

Joel Ajayi

Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare has congratulated the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel over his recent award from the Emperor of Japan.

Gumel was conferred with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Emperor of Japan through the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa.

The Minister said the award for Gumel, who is also an honorable member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a confirmation of his relentless service to sports and commitment to its development both home and abroad.

According to Dare, “Engineer Gumel has served and is still serving Nigeria meritoriously and his impact in sports is global. We are proud of him and believe that he still has a lot more up his sleeves.”

Gumel is also on the executive council of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

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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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