Legends unite: NSC Chairman backs charity match to fight cancer

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, pledged the Commission’s full support for the global fight against cancer.

He made this declaration while receiving the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the World Soccer Legends’ War Against Cancer initiative at the NSC headquarters.

The visit marked a key step in preparations for a major charity football match scheduled for October 4.

This will will coincide with the United Nations’ World Cancer Day.

The MOC, led by National Coordinator Jacob Onu and Special Adviser HRH Alhassan Yakmut, presented their strategic work plan for the event during the meeting.

Yakmut previously served as Director-General of the NSC.

The committee detailed plans for the charity match, which will feature iconic African football stars.

It will also aim to raise awareness and funds for cancer treatment and prevention.

Mallam Dikko, a staunch advocate of cancer awareness initiatives, reiterated his longstanding involvement in such campaigns. “

I have participated in the Cancer Walk in Abuja for over ten years,” he said.

“In 2017, I was privileged to lead the effort and was instrumental in bringing notable football legends like Nwankwo Kanu, Tijani Babangida, and Peter Rufai to support the Medicaid Cancer Charity Match.

“This battle is not for a few—it’s a responsibility we all must share.”

He emphasized that tackling cancer should not be left solely to the health sector.

“This is not just the responsibility of the Ministry of Health,” Dikko said.

“We need collective action, and the National Sports Commission is ready to provide full support to ensure that the World Soccer Legends’ Charity Match becomes a success.”

National Coordinator Jacob Onu highlighted the involvement of several African football legends who have committed to participating in the match.

He also discussed the broader strategy of working with corporate sponsors to mobilize resources for cancer-related healthcare initiatives.

“Our goal is to raise both funds and awareness.

Through sports, we can make a significant impact on public health, especially with the support of big brands and public institutions,” Onu stated.

Special Adviser Yakmut also stressed the broader vision of combining sports with humanitarian efforts.

He expressed confidence that the unity of purpose seen among the organizers and stakeholders would make the upcoming charity match a landmark event in cancer advocacy across Africa.

Adding to the chorus of support, Adeyinka Adeboye, applauded the committee’s planning and commitment.

Adeboye is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development.

He noted the crucial role the NSC’s endorsement would play in drawing public and private interest toward the campaign.

“The involvement of the NSC gives this project institutional strength. It helps us move faster and more effectively,” Adeboye said.

According to sports247.ng, the World Soccer Legends’ War Against Cancer match aims to bridge the worlds of sports and health advocacy in a meaningful way.

With endorsements from top government officials and the promise of appearances from well-known football icons, the event is being positioned as more than just a game.

It is also supposedly a platform for hope, education, and communal responsibility.

The charity match will not only serve as a fundraiser.

The organizers say it will also as a rallying point to emphasize the importance of early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer.

The organizers believe that sports, particularly football with its mass appeal, can be a powerful tool in driving public awareness and encouraging medical action among the population.

As preparations ramp up, the strong alignment between sport and advocacy continues to gather momentum.

The October event is graually gathering momentum, and is expected to draw widespread media attention and community participation.

The War Against Cancer match is being envisioned as a high-impact initiative, uniting African football legends.

It will also unite government agencies, corporate sponsors, and health organizations in a shared mission to combat one of the world’s most devastating diseases.

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