Nigeria’s athletic stars, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume were among the awardees of National Honours bestowed on them by President Muhammadu Buhari.
As another mark of appreciation, Buhari approved N200 million largesse for Team Nigeria contingents who represented the country at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics championships.
Team Nigeria amassed 12 Gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze, bringing to a total of 35 medals at the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The gold medal haul is the highest at a single Commonwealth Games for Team Nigeria.
At an award ceremony held at the State House, Abuja, the President congratulated the athletes for their “outstanding performances” saying their hour of sporting glory beamed the ‘‘radar of the world on Nigeria’’ and their exploits have projected the positive image of the country.
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Describing the athletes as champions, worthy ambassadors, national heroes and heroines, Buhari said the awards will “spur them to greater heights.”
He said ”I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.
“Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance. You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.’
‘‘I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon USA and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
‘‘And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances.”
The President noted that 12 times the world stood still as Nigeria’s flag was hoisted and the National Anthem recited 35 times to the podium.
“You all Team Nigeria made that possible. You brought glory and honour to our country. And today, on behalf of the nation- I say, THANK YOU!”
Buhari also acknowledged the strides witnessed in the sports sector under the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and his team, commending the numerous and sustained successes recorded in the last few years.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development described 2022 as an outstanding year in the history of Nigerian sports, which shall not be forgotten in a hurry.
Dare said in track and field, Amusan in a span of four months won Nigeria’s first ever gold medal in World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA with a world record performance in an event highly dominated by the Americans and Europeans.
She also successfully defended her Commonwealth Games title, which she won in 2018 in Gold Coast, with a games record in 2022 in Birmingham; and Diamond League title in Zurich, Switzerland on September 8, 2022, the Minister said.
He added that this remarkable performance has never been achieved by any Nigerian in the history of our sports.
‘‘Mr. President, through the sporting exploits and excellence of the young athletes before you in this hall and several others not able to make it for this reception, Nigeria has served notice that it will not relent.
‘‘That it will show up and compete for every laurel available not only in sports but in youth development, economic progress, social emancipation, political development and many more,” he said.
He thanked the President, saying ‘‘this administration’s investment in youth and sports development, will continue to yield dividends years after you might have completed your term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Recall that Amusan clinched the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the Diamond League in Zurich on Thursday, September 8.
She finished 12.29 seconds to defend her Diamond League title. Tia Jones from the US trailed her after coming in 12.40s while Jamaica’s Britany Anderson ended third.
The Nigerian had won the Diamond League trophy last year in 12.42 seconds. She also set an African record.
“12.29!” the Diamond League wrote. “Tobi Amusan defends her #DiamondLeague title with a new meeting record in the women’s 100m hurdles!”
In July, she became the first Nigerian to win a World Athletics Championship gold. She was victorious in the women’s 100m hurdles in Eugene, Oregon, ending in an incredible 12.06 seconds.
During the semi-final of the event, Amusan clocked 12.12 seconds to smash the world record at Hayward Field.
But her winning time was not recognised as a world record due to an illegal tailwind of 2.5 metres per second.
Weeks later at the Commonwealth Games, Amusan grabbed another record-breaking gold medal for team Nigeria. She blazed to a new games record of 12.30 seconds to retain the 100m hurdles she won four years ago in the Gold Coast, Australia.
That same month, she finished second in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Athletissima Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The world champion and world record holder was beaten to the first spot by Puerto Rica’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn who ran a meet record of 12.34 seconds at the event.
