Calabar-based power distribution transformer manufacturing company, Danelec FZE, has reinforced its commitment to community development and sports promotion by partnering with the Prince Otu Veterans Super League 2026, Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious masters sports championship for veteran athletes.
Key Highlights
- Danelec FZE sponsors the Prince Otu Veterans Super League 2026 in Calabar.
- Tournament recognized as Nigeria’s leading veterans’ multi-sport championship.
- Competition features 10 sporting events for athletes aged 45 and above.
- Danelec executives perform ceremonial kickoff at U.J. Esuene Stadium.
- Organizers praise corporate partnership as a boost for sports development.
- Cross River State Government highlights inclusiveness and active ageing.
- Tournament promotes health, fitness, and welfare of retired sports professionals.
The high-profile opening ceremony was held at the historic U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State, attracting sports enthusiasts, government officials, corporate stakeholders, and veteran athletes from across Nigeria.
Representing the General Manager of Danelec FZE, Engineer Giandomenico Massari, the company’s Production Manager, Carlo Ricaldone, performed the ceremonial kickoff, officially marking the company’s participation in the landmark sporting event.
Speaking during the event, members of Danelec FZE’s management team expressed excitement about the partnership and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting sports development and community engagement initiatives in Cross River State and beyond.
The company pledged its continued support for the tournament, describing the partnership as part of its broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable community impact.
According to the management team, investing in sports contributes to social cohesion, healthy living, and youth inspiration while strengthening relationships between corporate organizations and host communities.
The Prince Otu Veterans Super League has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most significant sporting platforms for retired athletes, sports administrators, and enthusiasts aged 45 years and above.
Now in its second edition, the competition has expanded beyond traditional football tournaments to become a multi-sport championship that promotes lifelong fitness, healthy competition, and social interaction among veteran athletes.
The 2026 edition features ten sporting disciplines, including:
Field and Court Sports
Football
Handball
Lawn Tennis
Badminton
Table Tennis
Mind and Precision Sports:
Chess
Scrabble
Draft
Snooker
Arm Wrestling
The expanded format makes it one of the most comprehensive veterans’ sporting events in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the event, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, the Co-Chairman and Executive Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Hon. Etta Lawrence, described Danelec FZE’s involvement as a major milestone for sports development in the state.
He noted that the partnership aligns with the vision of Cross River State Governor, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to promote inclusive governance and ensure that citizens across all age groups remain active, valued, and engaged in meaningful activities.
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According to Lawrence, the competition serves not only as a sporting event but also as a platform for promoting wellness, healthy ageing, and recognizing the contributions of veteran sports personalities to national development.
Industry observers noted that Danelec FZE’s support reflects a growing trend among multinational and manufacturing companies to invest in sports as a means of fostering community relations and enhancing corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The partnership is expected to contribute to the continued growth of the Prince Otu Veterans Super League while positioning Cross River State as a hub for sports tourism, veterans’ welfare, and community-driven sporting excellence.
As the tournament progresses, organizers remain optimistic that increased private-sector participation will strengthen sports development and create lasting opportunities for retired athletes across Nigeria.
