1980-1996
Christian Akiwowo
1996-2006
Abbey Okulaja
2006-2010
Monsor Isiba
2010-2012
Kazeem Oloko
2012-2018
Philip Imasogie
2019-present
Fatai Amoranbini
Our Vision
Our vision is the development of
great future leaders and talents that can
help bridge the gap between Africa and
the rest of the world, through leveraging
sports as a medium and Africans in the
Diaspora.
Our Mission
To promote unity, cooperation, sports,
education, scientific research, social and
cultural identity in response to the
solidarity of brotherhood and sisterhood
within the community
Our Goals
-Help facilitated the integration of
new Diaspora into the Chicago
community -Network professional, scholars and experts students to support specific programs in Africa and the Diaspora
- Provide program supporting children, youth, and women
Our History Overview
Founded in 1976 by a small diverse and like minded individuals (Akinwowo, Akibi, Jeffrey, Crushank, Kote, Shoyebo, Olumuyiwa, Adesanya, and Ayanwu). This great leaders found unity in a binding force (Football/Soccer), and leveraged it in creating the organization we know today as Gazelle Organization Chicago (GOC)
This 42 year old plus organization continues to help enhance and charter new path for African’s in the diaspora, while simultaneously promoting inclusiveness and awareness within Chicago and neighboring suburban towns. The strength of Gazelle Organization is in its diversity and inclusion.
Since inception, the organization has maintained a very highly visible and meaningful presence in the Chicago area African community,
as well as throughout the United States of America and Nigeria.
Examples of our activities include,
but not limited to, the popularly celebrated 4th of July Picnic in recognition of the American Independence Day which
we started in 1978 and draws more than 3,000 people to Chicago Jackson Park yearly.
The soccer team has been blessed with top-level players, mostly from Africa and Nigeria,
in particular, over the years; thus, earning them a position in the Chicago Area US National Soccer League where they have been close to winning the league championship on 4 occasions.
As a community leader, the organization prides itself in its unique ability to bring Nigerians from various tribes/ethnic together through its activities – a feat that has been almost impossible to achieve by any other Nigerian organizations in the US!
Additionally, Gazelle, in collaboration with the Washington, D.C. “Green Eagles”, coordinated the beginning of the “Nigeria Soccer Festival USA, Inc.” to bring Nigerian soccer teams from various US states together in Washington, D.C.in 1996 and ever since,
the Nigeria Soccer Festival has been holding every year. The City of Dallas hosted the 2012 edition and Chicago Gazelle was crowned champions. The Chicago gazelle will also be hosting the tournament in 2013.
The following is a chronology of Gazelle’s winnings and achievements from 1978 till year 2012: