It’s Time To Look Out For Our Sports Veterans – Sunday Dare

AISHA ABUBAKAR

The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that it is time to look out for Nigeria’s sports veterans across the country.

 The Minister said this on Sunday night during the G.R.A.C.E 2019 event at Rev. Chris Okotie’s Household of God Church, Oregun area of Lagos.

At the G.R.A.C.E 2019, which featured the Karis Award, Pa Nojeem Maiyegun was honoured for being the first Nigerian Olympic medalist. He won a Bronze Medal for Nigeria in the Middleweight division of boxing event at the 1964 Summer Olympic in Tokyo, Japan. Subsequently, he won a Bronze Medal in boxing for Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966 before clinching another African Championship Gold Medal in boxing for Nigeria.

By these feats, Maiyegun inspired other Nigerians to go into boxing and win trophies for Nigeria locally and internationally.

However, today, he is blind, neglected by his family and he is only being taken care of by his foreign wife abroad.

Mr. Sunday Dare, who was the Chairman of the annual event, said that the honour done Pa Nojeem Maiyegun for his heroics by Rev. Chris Okotie and the Household of God Church was very significant as Nigeria will be going to the Olympics once again in Tokyo, Japan in about seven months time and he was remembered at this time.

The Honourable Minister said that as soon as he is back in Abuja, that he will set up a committee to search for Nigeria’s veterans in different sports, who had been neglected and have them taken care of and celebrated while still alive. He said that will also go a long way in encouraging the ones still active to do more for the country.

Mr. Dare also hinted about the efforts of his Ministry for individuals and corporate brands to adopt an athlete and sponsor their preparations towards a successful participation at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.