Ajunwa, Amusan, 1996 ‘Dream Team’, Keshi to be inducted into NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame
Nigeria’s sporting legends Chioma Ajunwa, Tobi Amusan and the late Stephen Keshi, alongside the country’s victorious 1996 Olympic football team, are set to be inducted into the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame.
The announcement was made by former Nigeria international and sports administrator Segun Odegbami in his Saturday column, where he revealed that the honourees had been selected for their contributions to Nigeria’s international image and the promotion of sports diplomacy.
The NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame recognises athletes and personalities whose sporting achievements have advanced the principles of diplomacy and complemented Nigeria’s international relations objectives.
The names of the honourees will be inscribed in gold on a marble wall at the NIIA premises in Victoria Island, Lagos, which is expected to become a notable attraction for visitors.
Ajunwa made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by becoming Nigeria’s first individual Olympic gold medalist when she won the women’s long jump.
Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to set a world record when she clocked 12.12 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2022 World Championships semi-finals. She is also the firt to in a World outdoor gold medal.
Keshi, who died in 2016, occupies a unique place in Nigerian football history as the first Nigerian captain and coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations. He also became the first Nigerian coach to lead another country, Togo, to the FIFA World Cup.
The 1996 ‘Dream Team’ will also be honoured for their historic Olympic triumph in Atlanta, where Nigeria became the first African nation to win Olympic football gold after defeating Brazil and Argentina on their way to the title.
Odegbami said the induction had received the backing of Air Peace chairman Dr Allen Onyema, whom he praised for his continued support for Nigerian sports and athletes. He noted that despite the challenges facing Onyema’s airline and his other commitments, he remained committed to celebrating Nigerians who had achieved excellence on the international stage.
A ceremony to formally honour the inductees is expected to take place before the end of the year, with the event set to celebrate their sporting achievements and the role they have played in projecting Nigeria’s image globally.
