The Nigerian Olympians Association (NOA) on Thursday honured past Olympians like Julius Chigbolu, Titus Erinle, Muslim Arogubdade, and others who had represented and brought honour to Nigeria in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and not too far Olympics Games.
Particularly, honoured was given to the Athletes who represented Nigeria at the 1952 Games when a team of nine athletes flew the then Nigerian colonial flag at Helsinki.
The event which took place at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja was a night of honour as it was an assemblage of Nigerians Olympians, families of past Olympians who were on ground to receive award on their behalf.
Notable among the rollcall of Olympians who were physically present include, Segun Odegbami who captained the Nigeria 1980 Olympic team, Ufom Udoka, one time captain of Nigeria female basketball, Vicyor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Babayaro, members of the gold medal Atlanta Olympics football team, Funke Oshonaike who is on her way to her seventh Olympic in this year Olympic Games in Tokyo. Other present were Falilat Ogunkoya, Hamid Adio, and a host of others.
A few selected Olympians took turn to narrate their Olympic experience. Emmanue Babayaro and Victor Ikpeba narrated what it was winning the gold medal of the football event, particularly coming from three to one goal down against Brazil to win the match. Falilat Ogunkoya narrated what it feels like to win a silver medal at the Olympics. Funke Oshonaike in her own narration, noted that the one thing she loves most about the Olympics is the Games village, stressing that the setting was just like a family setting where there is so much joy in the air, devoid of religion, tribe or colour.
It was indeed a night to remember for the Olympians.
On the night, NOA awarded a total of selected 21 early generation of athletes who represented Nigeria in the first, second and third editions of the Olympic Games in 1952, 1956 and 1964. Though, others who stood out in their performances at the 80s, 90s and 2000s Olympics were also celebrated.
Overall, Nigeria has won a total of 25 medals which consists of three gold, ten silver and 12 bronze medals since her first appearance in 1952.
Capping it up for the night, the event host and the President of NOA, Olumide Oyedeji, captain of the Nigeria contingent to the last Olympic in Rio spoke on the reason for the event; “As at the close to the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, over a thousand Nigerian athletes have featured in 16 editions of the Games. The event today is not just an award to select representatives of the early generation of Nigerian Olympians, it is the celebration of all Olympians who have made appearances for Nigeria since 19 July 1952 when a team of nine athletes flew the then Nigerian colonial flag at the Helsinki, Finland. Through their efforts, hopes have Ben built. New aspirations are being built. And these people who have laboured to put Nigeria name in the global map should be celebrated. We are celebrating them along with all athletes who have represented Nigeria at the Olympics. Tonight they’re the heroes and worthy of celebrating.
He added, “Some of us don’t know those who represents Nigeria in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympics. These are not just ordinary people and cannot just be forgotten. They deserve to be celebrated for putting the name of Nigeria in the global map.
Apart from the Olympians, the event witnessed noted eminent invited special guests who were on ground to celebrate with them. A roll call of some them were; Eng. Habu Gumel, President Nigeria Olympic Committee, Minister of Youth and Sports was represented by Peter Nelson, Chairman Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Eng. Musa Nimrod, Vice President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Obih and a host of others.
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