By Amaechi Agbo

On Thursday, April 29, foremost Nigeria sports administrator, a man of the people, a “jolly good fellow” Dr Ademoal Are will bow out of service after 35 years of incredible, unblemish, purposeful, honest and impactful service to his beloved fatherland, Nigeria.

Doc Are born and raised in Nigeria’s former colonial capital, Lagos, was recruited into the Nigeria Civil service in the year 1986 and reached the echelon of his career as Director, Grassroots Sports Development and will on Thursday seek a new personal venture after over three decades of dedicated service to Nigeria.

As part of activities to mark an end to an era, and a new beginning to come, Sports journalists in Abuja has organised “I Challenge-you-take-one-post” novelty football match against Doc Are’s Ministry of youth and Sports team.

The match which will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Package B Abuja will see selected Sports Writers battle the ministry’s men in an epic clash.

The journalists team will be tutored by former Golden Eaglets U-17 but current Future Eagles U-15 Assistant coach, Olubunmi Haruna

Seasoned sports casters, reporters and publishers such as analysts will group out at the Goal Project to bid farewell from service a man who ha e served Nigeria diligently for the past 35 years.

The titanic battle will take centre stage at the FIFA goal project, MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Thursday by 4pm.

Former Director of Planing, Monitoring and information (PMI) Mrs Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi will serve as the match-day referee.

Nigeria’s U-15 National Team Assistant Coach Olubunmi Haruna, will lead the Friend Of Are Team as renown sports Boardcasters and Journalists such as, Ebare Callistus, Tony Asuquo, Tolu Oguntimehin, Udeme George Ebi Iyomon, Olusola Olujide, Olalekan Kilajolu, Oluwabusayo Olowookere, Mike Obasi Niyi Busari and Kola Daniel will be in action.

Others are, Onimisi Abdul, Tobi Richard, Joel Ajayi, Muhyideen Jimoh, David Collins, Wole Francis, Amaechi Agbo, Pius Titus and Olawale Ayeni all make the final cut.

It should be noted that high profile guests which will be led by the sports minister,
FMYSD’s permanent secretary, Directors, former Directors and sports federations presidents are expected to grace the occasion.

Others are Mr Olusade Adesola, FCT permanent secretary, Alhaji Sani lulu Abdullahi, former NFF President, Sanusi Mohammed NFF secretary, Former DG Sports Commission, Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut, Alhaji Abba Moukta
FCT FA Chairman, and Mr Luka Instifanus, Sports Director FCT; among others are also expected to be present at the fun packed novelty game.