Members of the Super Eagles teams of 1980, 1994, Atlanta 1996 as well as track and field and boxing dominated the list of the 60 sports icons that was unveiled during the celebration of Nigeria’s most oustanding sports icons of the last sixty years.
The event which took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja today, will have the pictures of the stars on display for 60 days.
According to the votes cast to pick the oustanding stars through various platforms, ercurial Super Eagles players like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Amunike of the famed 1994 and Atlanta 1996 Dream Team were selected by a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
Also selected are the 1980 Green Eagles that won Nigeria’s maiden Nations Cup on home soil with team Captain, Christian Chukwu and Segun Odegbami listed individually.
Emmanuel Okala and Mudashiru Lawal were also picked as symbol of the 1980 Green Eagles.
The Golden Eagles of 1985 that paraded the likes of Captain Nduka Ugbade, Victor Igbinoba and coached by Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen were also recognised.
Nigeria’s first Olympics medallist, Nojeem Maiyegun, first individual gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa, Mary Onyali, Sunday Bada, Commonwealth Games medalists Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Samuel Igun, world boxing champions Hoggan Kid Bassey, Dick Tiger, Chidi Imoh, female wrestler Odunayo Adekuruoye also made the list.
Legendary footballer, Teslim Thunder Balogun, ace radio commentators Mazi Ernest Okonkwo, Dr Larry Izamoje, Sports Philanthropist Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Chief Adebutu Kesington among others also made the icons list.
Notable personalities that graced the memorable event include:
1.Engr. Abubakar Aliyu FNSE – Hon. Minister of State Federal Ministry of Works and Housing
2. Otunba Niyi Adebayo(CON) – Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
3. Dr. Senator Adeleke – Hon. Minister of State for Health.
4. Dr. (Mrs.) Ahmed S. Zainab – Hon. Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning.
5. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(FMI) – Minister Interior.
6. Sharon Ikpeazor – Minister of State for Environment.
Below are the names of the unveiled 60 Sports Icons
1. Chioma Ajunwa 2. Mary Onyali3. Jighere Wellington4. Odion Aikhoje5. Duncan Dokiware6. Austin Okocha7. Kanu Nwankwo 8. Feyisetan Are9. Blessing Okagbare10. Garba Lawal11. Lucy Ejike12. Falilat Ogunkoya/Atlanta 96 Women’s 4x400m Quartet13. Sunday Bada/Sydney 2000 Men’s 4x400m Quartet14. Football Dream Team, Atlanta 1996 Olympics15. Emmanuel Amunike16. Chika Chukwumeriji17. Davidson Ezinwa18. Odunayo Adekuoroye19. Modupe Oshikoya20. Peter Konyegwachie21. Olusoji Fasuba22. Nduka Ugbade/Sebastine Broadricks Emasuen/1985 Golden Eaglets23. Hogan Bassey24. Dick Tiger25. Samuel Peters26. Barcelona 92′ quartet (Men’s 4x100m Relay)27. Funke Oshonaike28. Segun Odegbami29. D’Tigress30. Segun Toriola31. Roland Ezuruike32. Mayegun Nojeem33. Sam Igun34. Israel Adesanya35. Super Eagles 199436. Olumide Oyedeji37. Blessing Oborududu38. Tompraba Grikpa39. Chidi Imoh40. Christian Chukwu 41. Ajibola Adeoye42. Stephen Keshi43. Atanda Musa44. Muda Lawal/Emmanuel Okala/Green Eagles 198045. Daniel Amokachi46. Rashidi Yekini47. Teslim Thunder Balogun48. Perpetual Nkwocha49. Super Falcons50. Power Mike51. Flora Ugwunwa52. Lauretta Onye53. Sam Okwaraji54. Nduka Odizor55. David Izonrite56. Chief MKO Abiola57. Dr. Larry Izamoje58. Mazi. Ernest Okonkwo59. Alh. Aliko Dangote60. Chief Sir Kesington Adebutu
