NOC to honour Maiyegun, Egbunike others

A press statement from Tony Nezianya, public relations officer of the NOC said those awarded include, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Mens’ 4x400 metres relay quartet, Ex-international Table Tennis player, Atanda Musa and Nojeem Maiyegun, bronze medal winner in the lightweight event of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games are also on the list on nominees for award.

Others are late Dr Kunle Joseph, a former president of Nigeria Wrestling Federation; Governor's Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe, current chairman of Nigeria Hockey Federation. Also on the list is a distinguished media personality and renowned radio commentator, late Ernest Okonkwo.

The corporate bodies selected include: The Nestle Foods Plc., Coca Cola Nigeria Ltd., and Akintola Williams, Doilette & Touche, a firm of Chartered Accountants that has been supporting the Committee.

The award is in continuation of an objective, which the committee initiated since last year to identify with former athletes. Individuals and corporate groups, that have used their influence and prowess to either participate or support sports.

"We in the Olympic Movement believe firmly that this type of gesture will go a long way in demonstrating our recognition of the sterling contributions of those who have either brought honours to the country or assisted in sustaining the tempo of development of sports in the country".

The 1984 relay quartet was particularly outstanding because the bronze medals were the first Olympic track and field medals to be won by Nigeria. The awards were categorized into four - athletes, individuals, corporate bodies and the media.

The ceremony will be held at Gateway Hotels, Abeokuta on July 15, 2004. It has been planned to precede the Nigeria Olympic Annual General meeting.

The list is as follows: Athletes Category *4x400m Relay quartet - Los Angeles Olympic (1984) (Rotimi Peters, Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbusien, Innocent Egbunike) *Atanda Musa (Table Tennis) *Nojeem Maiyegun (Boxing) Individuals *Late Dr. Kunle Joseph *Gov. Bukar Abba Ibrahim Corporate Bodies *Nestle Foods Plc *Coca Cola Nigeria Ltd *Akintola Williams, Doilette & Touche Media *Late Ernest Okonkwo