1976 Olympians, victorious Green Eagles get free air travels for life

  The heroes of the 1976 Olympics Games and members of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning Green Eagles were at the weekend decorated as Air Peace Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors. The investiture was preceded by the unveiling of the newly created Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame with the […]

 

The heroes of the 1976 Olympics Games and members of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning Green Eagles were at the weekend decorated as Air Peace Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors.

The investiture was preceded by the unveiling of the newly created Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame with the names of the athletes and players inscribed.

The unveiling and recognition coming 47 years after Nigeria boycotted the Olympic Games was initiated by Air Peace to rekindle the memory of the events at the time and the sacrifice by the athletes.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria led other 27 African countries to boycott the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada in protest against the failure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to withdraw New Zealand from the Games for their ‘romance’ with the Apartheid regime in South Africa.

After preparing for four years, and spending 10 days in the Games Village with other athletes around the world, about a few hours to the commencement of the games, the Nigerian delegation got a call from the then military President, General Olusegun Obasanjo to return to the country immediately as the country was boycotting it.

Also, the Green Eagles players who did the nation proud by beating Algeria 3-0 and lifting the 1980 AFCON Cup also benefited from the Air Peace’s recognition.

Some of the Olympians and members of the AFCON 1980 National Team were at the event on Friday night while those who were late among them were represented by their family members.

Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema who was the brain behind the recognition said it was the least that could be done for those heroes who gave their all for their fatherland.

He said Nigeria must imbibe the culture of celebrating and honouring those who sacrificed for the country.