By Aderogba George
The Corporate Kickers Sports Club (CKSC) has launched an initiative to acquire its own sporting arena, especially for football, to boost fun and engagement among members.
The event, which attracted several guests in Abuja on Thursday, also served as a medium to celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary, hold an award ceremony, and host the end-of-year party.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, Dr Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the club, said the club is a group of friends.
He said that they come together to play football and other games for the past 20 years as a thing of fun for members.
Belgore added that for the past 20 years, the group had always rented pitches to play football at different venues, saying that members expressed themselves through football, which he said they play for fun.
“We are here today to launch an operation for our own football field. Over the past 20 years, we’ve always rented, and for quite some time, we played at different venues.
“Lately, we have seen the need that we need to set up our own field, our own grounds. This is needed so that the club can grow into the future we desire.
“Our children are automatically born as members of our club and we want to leave it as a future legacy for them.
“We also socialised together. We have fun together. We help one another in times of need. We have grown from friends to become brothers, we look after each other. We are always there for each other in hard times.
“We look forward to the next 100 years, we probably might have gone, and we look forward to say that our children should inherit this and keep the flag flat.”
Belgore called on Nigerian government sports administrators to put their hearts into the area of sports, especially football, noting that the country is blessed with huge talents who are good in sports.
He also called on Nigerians to celebrate Christmas moderately, adding that drivers on the highways should not drink while driving.
“Nigerians must be careful and enjoy themselves in this season, enjoy yourself in moderation. Don’t drink and drive.
“Don’t have yourself in an uncompromising situations while you are alone, especially when travelling,” Belgore stressed.
Dr Chike Onuigbo, Captain, CKSC, said the event is being used to work out brotherhood and bond with members, stating that the group will work to transform the club into a football academy in future.
He said that plan is already in place for members to bring their kids into the system, adding that CKSC will live on from generation to generation.
Mr Obinna Nwadoka, the 7th Captain of the club, said sporting activities are in form of exercise and therapeutic, which everyone must embrace to be fit for all activities.
He added that the club will work towards establishing a befitting sporting arena that will match the standard of IBB Golf Club, Abuja.
Mr Olaleye Titiloye, a member of the club, stated that the club is a group of gentlemen who have been together for 20 years.
Mrs Beatrice Okpara, a wife of a member and an award recipient, appreciated God that the club could find her worthy for the award, while pledging her continued support for the club.
Highlight of the event included financial pledges from club members and associates to support the proposed sporting arena. (NAN)
