Ahead of the maiden edition of Charity Champions Cup, an initiative of the Attom Foundation, slated for the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on June 15, a number of global icons from the world of football and entertainment has been lined up.
Current African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, headlines a list of football legends set to participate in the first-ever Charity Champions Cup.
Others include former African Footballer of the Year winners- ex Senegal international, El Hadji Diouf, Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba and 1996 Atlanta gold medalist for Nigeria, Kanu Nwankwo.
The Charity Champions Cup, exhibition match will pit football legends from around the world against notable Nigerian celebrities.
The organisers is aiming to use Charity Champions Cup to raise funds and awareness to help at least 10,000 Nigerians, particularly the elderly, address vision problems caused by refractive errors, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
At a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the founder of Attom Foundation, Attom Yahaya emphasised the cause’s importance beyond the match’s spectacle. He and his team are dedicated to helping those with visual impairments wholeheartedly.
“This is a thrilling project for us,” Yahaya said. “We’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far. There’s still work to be done, but we’re confident we’ll achieve our goal.”
For Stanley Chibuna, popularly known as Funny Bone, the reason behind using football as the driving force for this project is because of the power of unity it projects among Nigerians.
“Football unifies Nigerians like nothing else. Just look at the recent AFCON and how everyone came together as one Nigeria. That’s why we’re using football to drive this initiative,” Chibuna stated.
On her part, Kafayat Shafau expressed her excitement about another opportunity to make a positive impact. While Emmanuel Ogonna Iwueke (Doctor Craze) and Ekemini Ekerette joined the call for corporate support for the Charity Champions Cup’s noble goal.
Other legends that would be participating in the event include Austin Okocha, Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Adebayor, Emmanuel Eboue and Mario Balotelli.
Current Super Eagles stars like Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Kenneth Omeruo will also be playing, alongside Super Falcons duo Asisat Oshoala and Michelle Alozie.
The event will be further enlivened by the participation of celebrities like Tiwa Savage, Ayo Makun, Akpororo, and Nedu Ani.
The Charity Champions Cup has received endorsements from the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
