The Executive Director, Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, with former Super Eagles star, Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, and Executive Director, Sahara Group, Wale Ajibade during the presentation of a customized jersey to Amokachi who was the special guest at the 2023 Saharalympics games in Lagos.
Legendary Nigerian football star, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi, was ‘hired’ by Sahara Group on Saturday during the 5th Saharalympics Games in which Egbin Power team emerged champions for the second year running.
The Saharalympics, which debuted in 2014, is Sahara’s biennial sporting event featuring an array of awe-inspiring displays of talent, teamwork, and camaraderie among Sahara employees from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
This 2023 edition, which is the 5th in the series, was held on Saturday, July 22, at the prestigious University of Lagos Sports Complex, Akoka, Lagos.
Declaring the games open, the Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Anthony Youdeowei, said “the Saharalympics has become the symbol of Sahara’s commitment to fun in efficiency, a uniting platform that celebrates Sahara’s competitiveness, resilience and team spirit.”
Five teams, namely Sahara Group Consolidated (comprising Group operations, trading entities, First Independent Power Limited, and teams from within and outside Africa); Asharami Energy (a Sahara Group Upstream Company); Ikeja Electric, Asharami Synergy (a Sahara Group Downstream Company), and Egbin Power competed for laurels in several indoor and outdoor sport events, including chess, scrabble, athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, big foot race, frisbee relay, and ping-pong race.
Egbin Power, which emerged champion’s in last year’s Saharalympics games, again soared to victory, retaining their title, while Ikeja Electric and Asharami Synergy secured the first and second runner-up spots, respectively.
Chief Executive Officer at Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bonour, who was thrilled by the superlative performance of their team commended the players for their achievement.
“Our unwavering dedication to excellence fuels our progress,” he told the team members. “As a proud member of the Sahara Group family, Egbin is pleased to come tops again. But above all, we are all winners as we play and win together at Sahara.”
The celebration of this year’s games was witnessed by Nigerian international football star, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi, who was the special guest of honour.
The high point of the day’s event was the Sahara Group’s “signing” of ”The Bull” who was later presented with a customized Saharalympics jersey by the Executive Directors at Sahara Group, Kola Adesina and Wale Ajibade, to commemorate the signing ceremony.
In his remarks, Ajibade said the Saharalympics was also a platform for Sahara Group to recognize and honour individuals and teams who excelled in various sporting activities.
“It is great to see Dan the Bull still looking fit after all these years. We thank you for all the awesome moments of joy you brought to Nigeria through your extraordinary skills, which helped you play the round leather game at the highest level. Sahara remains dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence in sports through the Saharalymics,” he added.
Iconic former Nigeria’s Super Eagles star joins other sporting greats who graced previous years’ Saharalympics, including Nigeria’s first Olympic Gold Medalist, Chioma Ajunwa; former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo; the “Prince of Monaco” and former Eagles forward, Victor Ikpeba; ace Olympian, Falilat Ogunkoya-Osheku, and great “Dodo Mayana” a 1994 Green Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.
In his response after the “signing”, Amokachi said he was truly honoured to have been called upon to participate in the landmark event.
“Sahara Group’s reputation stands out in the energy sector in Nigeria and beyond. I am truly thrilled to witness the spirit of teamwork and unity that makes Sahara unique,” he said.
Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said the energy conglomerate was already working towards the next edition of the games.
“The Saharalympics personifies our collective passion for success and the spirit of unity within Sahara Group. It is a platform that nurtures our competitive spirit, enhances camaraderie, and strengthens the bonds that fuel our passion for being MAD, that is, making a difference,” Obioma said.
