Siasia, NOC, OMSA Back World Soccer Legends’ War Against Cancer

Former Super Eagles head coach Samson Siasia, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OMSA) have pledged their support for the inaugural World Soccer Legends ‘War Against Cancer’ International Charity Football Match, as organisers launched a 60-day countdown to the historic event in Abuja on Wednesday.

The initiative, which seeks to leverage the popularity of football to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, is expected to bring together former football stars from Nigeria and around the world for a charity match.

The event, built around the theme “Kick Out Cancer: Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” aims to take the cancer awareness campaign beyond conventional medical and health platforms by leveraging football’s massive following across the country.

Speaking at the unveiling and countdown ceremony, Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onuh, said the initiative would provide a unique platform for governments, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to unite against cancer through sport.

Onuh said the participation of football veterans from around the world would add significant weight to the campaign and inspire young people and football enthusiasts to take cancer prevention seriously.
“We commend the Institute and all partners behind this historic initiative for creating a platform capable of organising Nigeria’s international football events for cancer awareness,” Onuh said.

He stressed that the campaign should not be restricted to the football community, urging local government councils, traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to embrace and support the initiative.

According to him, the involvement of renowned football legends would enable organisers to leverage their influence and popularity to spread the cancer-prevention message to a much wider audience.
President of the NOC, Engr Habu Gumel, also threw his weight behind the campaign, pledging the Olympic body’s support while urging Nigerians to make regular health checks a priority.

Gumel encouraged people to undergo cancer screening even when they felt healthy, stressing that early detection could make a significant difference in the fight against the disease.

“People should check themselves. Even those that believe they don’t have it, they should check their status. If they have the opportunity, they should check themselves once a year. It’s very important,” he said.

The NOC president described the initiative as impressive and assured the organisers that the Olympic body would be available to collaborate with them in spreading the message across the country.

“There’s no part of this country today that cancer is not affecting one or two persons. So if we just keep quiet, it can’t be done. It can be eradicated or even minimised,” Gumel added.

Former Super Eagles coach Siasia, who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sports on the sidelines of the event, expressed his delight at being associated with the campaign.

“I’m happy to be here and part of the programme. It is good that we are using football to promote cancer prevention, early detection and treatment with awareness,” Siasia said.

The former Nigerian international noted that football had the ability to bring people together regardless of their backgrounds, while cancer similarly affects people without discrimination.

“Football is for all, and cancer doesn’t discriminate. The objective is good, and I am glad to be part of it,” he added.

OMSA President, Major General Abdullahi Maikano (retd.), also described the marriage between football and cancer awareness as a welcome development, highlighting the sport’s unifying power.

Maikano said football, regarded as the world’s most popular sport, could provide an effective platform for taking the campaign to millions of people across Nigeria and beyond.

“The combination of cancer awareness and football, which is the king of sports, is very important,” he told LEADERSHIP Sports.

He stressed that cancer did not recognise religion, age, language or social status, making a broad-based awareness campaign essential.

“When we are playing soccer, we come together. We unite together. So, bringing soccer into this programme is actually a welcome development. It will raise awareness among people across Nigeria. It will even go beyond,” Maikano said.

The retired general also welcomed the decision to involve former football stars, saying their return to the pitch would provide both entertainment and an opportunity to promote cancer prevention.

“To bring out soccer legends who have done so much, projecting the name of Nigeria, Nigerians would like to see them again on the field where we can be entertained and create awareness for cancer prevention,” he added.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof Usman Malami Aliyu, represented by Dr Margaret Sawyer, said football could help raise cancer awareness among Nigerians who might otherwise be outside conventional health campaigns.

Aliyu said the involvement of World Soccer Legends would enable the campaign to exploit football’s enormous popularity and unite Nigerians behind the fight against cancer.

“Football is the language that unites every Nigerian, across every state, tribe and class,” he said.

The organisers also unveiled the official logo and kits for the charity match, marking the beginning of the final 60-day preparations.

With the backing of major sports institutions and prominent football personalities, the organisers are now expected to intensify preparations for the match and mobilise stakeholders nationwide for the cancer awareness campaign.

The event is being positioned not only as a reunion of football legends but also as a major sporting platform to promote prevention, early detection, regular screening, and support for people affected by cancer.