Sports

Sunday Dare Bags African Illustrious Minister of The Year Award

Published

4 years ago

December 8, 2022

…For Repositioning Nigerian Sports, National Sports Industry Policy Formulation

In recognition of his efforts at repositioning sports in Nigeria, with emphasis on the landmark National Sports Industry Policy conceptualised under his stewardship, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare is set to be honoured with the prestigious African Illustrious Award as Minister of the Year.

In a statement released on its behalf by Dr. Harris Madueke, the African Illustrious Awards was described as a revered and prestigious African honour, conferred on individuals and organisations who have excelled in leadership, philanthropy, community development, academia in Africa amongst others.

“The African Illustrious Awards seek to search, discover and recognise highly distinguished Africans who have been outstanding, and exceptional in private and public service. This recognition is in line with our vision to project and promote excellence in Africa, not as an exception, but as a consistent pattern in the modern African experience.

“Pursuant to the above, our team of seasoned professionals, distinguished researchers, a special panel, and the public, after due diligence has found the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare worthy to receive the Special Industry Award for Repositioning Sports Through The National Sports Industry Policy, 2022 – 2026,” Madueke emphasised.

It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the Policy in early November 2022. The policy provides the frame-work for the reclassification of sports from recreation to business. It has been described as the most revolutionary sports document in Nigeria’s history by industry watchers and sports administrators across the country.

The Minister has over the past three years blazed the trail in harnessing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in sports development through laudable initiatives like Adopt-an-athlete that gave grants of between $10,000 to $20,000 to 44 budding athletes; Adopt-a-pitch, that brought back the dilapidated Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja through a $1m private investment, on-going rehabilitation of National Stadium, Surulere, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, amongst other innovative programmes that has boosted sports development in the country.

The award will be formally presented to the Minister at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, the 9th of December, 2022.

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Sports

Lagos Set for Star-Studded Legends Game as Diouf, Adebayor, Appiah Lead African Icons

Published

30 mins ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Africa is set for a football spectacle as some of Africa’s biggest football legends battle celebrated Super Eagles icons for the Legends Football Game on Sunday, November 8, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Headlining the African Legends squad are former African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ivorian legend Didier Zokora and Ghana ex captain Stephen Appiah, whose illustrious careers left an enduring mark on the global game.

The star-studded African contingent is expected to feature alongside other celebrated names, including Ghana’s John Paintsil and Anthony Baffoe, Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga, Burkina Faso’s Aristide Bancé, Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Alexandre Song, Zimbabwe’s Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari, as well as South Africa’s Brian Baloyi.

They will take on Super Eagles legends from Nigeria’s iconic 1994 and 1996 squads in a special encounter celebrating three decades since Nigeria became the kings of African football.

The game is presented by Toptier Sports Management in partnership with Afreximbank and CANEX, bringing together football icons whose achievements have inspired generations of fans across the continent.

Chichi Nwoko, Founder and CEO of Toptier Sports Management, said the event would provide an opportunity to honour the legends who helped shape African football.

“These are names that every football fan in Africa knows. We are proud to bring them to Lagos to honour the heroes of 1994 and 1996,” she said.

The Legends Football Game is expected to draw fans eager to relive the magic of African football’s golden era, with gates opening at 1:30pm.

For fans unable to make it to the stadium, the match will be broadcast live from 5pm to 7pm on NTA, AIT and Silverbird.

With a galaxy of African football stars set to descend on Lagos, the city is poised for a memorable celebration of football, nostalgia and the enduring legacy of the continent’s greatest players.

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