By Daily Sports on November 21, 2019
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has expressed deep shock over the death of a former Chairman of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Alex Akinyele, following a brief illness.
A statement signed by SWAN Secretary General Jude Opara said: “SWAN remembers with nostalgia his huge contributions to the growth of sports in the county when he meritoriously served as the Chairman of the then NSC between 1991 and 1993.
“Under his regime Nigeria made a lot of impact in the global sports scene which included but not restricted to the winning of the maiden edition of the African Women Championship by the Super Falcons in 1991, FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993 as well as our strong presence at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
“The Lobosin of Ondo Kingdom was also instrumental to the sterling performance of Nigeria at the 1994 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia where the country won the trophy.
“The 81 years old was equally the first person to be appointed as the Executive Chairman of the NSC by the then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Prior to his appointment, the NSC was a unit under the Ministry of Sports.”
SWAN recalled that during his time, Chief Akinyele was also a staunch supporter of the Association and was the Chairman of the 2nd edition of the SWAN Nigeria Sports Awards in 2008 in Akure, Ondo State.
It equally recalled that Akinyele’s last official outing for sports was when he chaired the launch of the book, “Super Eagles..... Through the Ages”.
“SWAN prays God to grant his family and associates the fortitude to bear the loss; and urge sports administrators to tap from the late Akinyele’s legacies,” the statement said.
•PHOTO: Late former NSC Chairman Alex Akinyele
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 21, 2019
You may also like...
Rohr Willing To Accept Pay Cut To Remain...
Rohr's selections to be scrutinized
Eighty-five changes in 16 games - is Chelsea...
NSC moves to approve Nigeria’s first flag football...
Rohr Hints at Onyekuru, Osimhen Playing against Algeria...
Chukwuma, Godbless qualify for Paris Olympics
Chukwueze among offensive duel leaders in EPL
U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Quarter-Final Fireworks Set for Easter Sunday
Title talk grows after Itauma’s record-breaking KO
Winners emerge at Ebaretonbofa golf tourney
Chukwu greatest player to wear Eagles jersey – Ikpeba
Nnadozie continues WSL form as Brighton defeat Leicester
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
Aruna faces tough draw in ITTF World Cup
Nigeria chase more World Relays tickets in Botswana trials
Itauma vows to change boxing after crushing Franklin
Maiden Eagles call-up shocks Sor
Iwobi gets EPL Player of The Month nomination
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,676 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,996 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,914 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,522 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,448 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,351 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,215 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,752 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,945 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,454 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,855 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,329 views)