NOA Celebrates All Nigerian Olympians

NOA Celebrates All Nigerian Olympians By Niyi Busari The Nigeria Olympians Association (NOA) on Thursday celebrated all athletes who represented Nigeria since 19 July 1952 when a team of nine athletes flew the then Nigerian colonial flag at Helsinki, Finland till date, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The nine athletes who were at the 1952 Olympics Games in Finland were: Edward Ajado, Titus Erinle, Muslim Arogubdade, Rafiu Oluwa, Karim Olowu and Sylvanus Williams. Others are: Josiah Majekodunmi, Nafiu Osagie, Boniface Guobadia. They were all celebrated and awarded on Thursday night at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja. 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. After the maiden entry in 1952, Nigeria featured at the Melbourne Games in 1956, parading ten athletes. However, Nigeria won the first Olympic medal in Tokyo in 1964. Nojim Maiyegun won a bronze medal in the light Middleweight category. Overall, Nigeria has won a total of 25 medals which consists of three gold, ten silver and 12 bronze medals since their first appearance in 1952. The event host and the President of NOA, Olumide Oyedeji while speaking on why the event was held said; "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 name in the global map. Some of the eminent invited special guests who were at the event includes, Eng. Habu Gumel, President Nigeria Olympic Committee, Minister of Sports ably represented by Peter Nelson, Chairman Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Eng Musa Nimrod, Vice President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Obih and host of others.