By Francis Ajuonuma
Organisers of the annual Above 50 Football Tournament on Sunday July 28 unveiled logo for the 2024 Above 50 Mini-Olympic Games holding in Lagos in October.
The unveiling was performed by 1996 Olympics gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa Oparah (MON), alongside president of the Above 50 Football, Ambassador Edward Olutoke, Nigerian ex-internationals – Henry Nwosu (MON), Mutiu Adepoju and Tunde Disu in a colourful ceremony held at the Ostra Hall/Hotels Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.
The Logo for the maiden Above 50 Mini Olympics bears a flaming torch, activities of several sporting events enscripted in the Zero of the Above 50 boldly written.
Speaking with the media, Ambassador Olutoke, who is also chairman of the Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture expressed his appreciation for everyone that graced the occassion which was also used to present awards of recognition for exemplary service to fatherland four Nigerian ex-internationals; Chioma Ajunwa Oparah, Henry Nwosu, Mutiu Adepoju and Coach Tunde Disu.
This is what I have been looking forward to for a while. You know this is Olympics season all over the world and for Nigeria to come up with this initiative is just wonderful. So, I’m so impressed with the turnout with the people who graced the occassion, especially the ex-internationals I saw. It’s been a good day for all of use and I thank God for His mercies.
“The concept is actually to make old age so fanciful; something people will be looking forward to. Before now nobody want to old, everybody is afraid because when you grow old, they go and push you to one old people’s homes. But with this we can put ourselves together and create new lives for ourselves.
“We’re doing five sporting events – of course Football which very prominent in Nigeria, Table Tennis, Boxing, Handball and Squash in Above 50 Mini Olympics, it’s the first of it’s kind,” he said.
On the selection of the awardees, he added: We looked at Nigerians who broke records. Chioma Ajunwa we all know is first Nigerian Olympian to have won individual Olympic gold medal. Tunde Disu of we all know about the Dammam Miracle he achieved with Flying Eagles in 1989, Henry Nwosu, youngest Nigerian football to win AFCON gold medal and Mutiu Adepoju, these are guys who have made Nigeria proud and believe they deserved the awards.
The award ceremony was organized by the Organisers of the Above 50 Football Tournament in conjunction with the Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
