By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Abuja All Stars International Veterans Invitational Football Tournament has kicked off in grand style at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A, Abuja, with Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, performing the official ceremonial kick-off.
The tournament, which features 22 teams, brings together former professional footballers and veterans in a celebration of football, fitness, friendship, networking and life beyond the playing field.
The opening fixture saw Abuja All Stars International FC begin their campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Nurudeen Veterans FC 3–0.
Other results from match day one saw NSCDC All Stars edge APO Fitness Sports Club 1–0, while Nyanya All Stars and All Stars Aleyita played out a 2–2 draw. Timeless Titans also secured a 3–1 victory over City Gate Sports Club.
Speaking after featuring in the opening match, Shaibu said his participation was driven by his passion for sport and commitment to maintaining physical fitness. He revealed that he runs at least two kilometres daily on the treadmill and up to 10 kilometres at weekends.
The NIS boss said the veterans’ tournament also provides an important platform for former players to reconnect with old teammates and friends while demonstrating that there is meaningful life after active football.
He stressed the importance of preparing athletes for retirement, revealing that the NIS is developing a programme that will equip players and athletes for careers in coaching, sports administration, management and scouting after their playing days.
Shaibu also called for a stronger players’ union capable of supporting both active and retired footballers, particularly in preparing them for life after professional sport.
On the wider role of sport, Shaibu said recent performances by Nigerian athletes at the Commonwealth Games demonstrated a renewed sense of patriotism, determination and commitment to representing the country.
He expressed optimism that sustained attention to athletes’ welfare and development would help Nigeria progress from celebrating silver and bronze medals to consistently challenging for gold at the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Abuja All Stars Technical Adviser, Benjohnson Favour, described the 3–0 victory as an excellent start but warned against getting carried away by the opening result.
Favour praised his players for keeping a clean sheet and said the team would approach the tournament one game at a time, insisting that much more remains to be seen from the competing teams.
Weekend Fixtures
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures, with another exciting set of encounters scheduled for Saturday, including:
Ex-Professionals vs Ibn Abbas
Kuje All-Stars vs MC Steve FC
Lugbe All-Stars vs Z-Micheal FC
All-Stars New Karu vs
Gwagwalada All-Stars
NNPC All-Stars vs Metro City All-Stars
The competition is expected to continue providing a platform for veterans to stay active, reconnect with former teammates and inspire the next generation, while competing for honours in what promises to be an engaging celebration of Nigerian football.
