It was a different kind of competition at Globacom on Saturday as the telecommunications giant marked its 23rd anniversary with football, games, laughter and spirited rivalry, as staff gathered at The Stable, Surulere, Lagos, for Glo Fitfest 2026.
For a company accustomed to the language of technology, targets and connectivity, the occasion provided a refreshing change of frequency. The workplace was temporarily left behind as colleagues stepped into the arena of sport, where departmental loyalties were tested, friendships strengthened and the competitive spirit found joyful expression.
With the anniversary falling on a Saturday, members of the Glo family had a natural opportunity to unwind after another demanding year of building the business. Dressed in specially produced, colourful T-shirts, the staff transformed the venue into a kaleidoscope of corporate colours, with cheers, banter and music filling the atmosphere as one contest followed another.
The programme featured an entertaining mix of sporting and recreational activities, including table tennis, Big Ludo, Big Snooker, Beer Pong, Sack Race and Big Ayo. The centrepiece, however, was a football tournament involving teams drawn from various departments and grouped into clusters to promote healthy competition, teamwork and stronger bonds among colleagues.
The football matches quickly emerged as the major attraction of the day. What began as friendly rivalry soon took on the intensity of a competitive cup tournament, with departments eager to establish their superiority on the pitch.
Some teams even strengthened their squads with colleagues who were accomplished footballers from outside Lagos, adding greater quality, tactical sophistication and excitement to the competition.
The strategy paid off for Glo Rockets, comprising staff from the Sales Force and Value Added Services Department. Drawing on their strengthened squad, the team defeated Strikers FC, representing the Rollout, Information Systems, Gloworld Development and E-Pin departments, to emerge champions of the tournament.
Glo Rockets received a giant trophy and a cash prize of N1 million, while the runners-up went home with N750,000. Players from both teams were presented with medals for their performances, while winners in the other sporting events also received medals and cash prizes.
Beyond the trophies, medals and prize money, however, Glo Fitfest 2026 offered something perhaps even more valuable: an opportunity for colleagues to reconnect outside the structures, routines and pressures of everyday work.
On the field, departmental boundaries became little more than coloured shirts. Colleagues who ordinarily interacted across conference tables, emails and official assignments now cheered one another, exchanged playful taunts and celebrated victories together. For a few memorable hours, the corporate machine gave way to the human spirit that drives it.
The relaxed atmosphere continued long after the final whistle. Staff danced, laughed and celebrated with abandon, transforming the anniversary outing into a colourful celebration of fellowship, friendship and shared accomplishment.
As Globacom marked 23 years of enterprise, innovation and connectivity, Glo Fitfest 2026 provided a fitting reminder that behind every network, product and corporate milestone are people.
And sometimes, after years of running the race of business, there is wisdom in pausing briefly to celebrate the people running it with you.
