Renowned Nigerian football Icon, President, General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, High Chief, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has pledged to continue championing sports and tourism initiatives, while recognizing their pivotal roles in national development.
The High Chief who made the pledge during a press briefing at his residence in Abuja on Thursday, expressed profound gratitude upon receiving the Africa Sport Tourism Award as the “Life Patron” from the Africa Sport Tourism Award Group last week.
Chief Iwuanyanwu’s unwavering commitment and vision serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts across Nigeria and beyond, elated by the recognition, marking it as one of the highest honors in his illustrious career.
At 80-plus, the High Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, reflected on his journey, emphasizing the blessings he has received from God throughout his life.
He recounted his earliest recognition in 1963 during his elementary school days when he clinched a gold medal in a sprinting event, setting the stage for his lifelong passion for sports. “Then I was in elementary school, it was during empire day. In our days we used to have Empire Day Sporting competitions.
“I won a gold medal in 100 yards. I also won gold medal at the 100 yards by 4, I was put on the last lap, usually they put the fastest person to take the last lap so I won the relay. I didn’t know that even when I go people will remember and they’ll make me a Life Patron”, Iwuanyanwu said.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau who was also decorated with the Africa and Sports Tourism Award (ASTA) applauded the Chief for his contributions to Nigerian football while adding that it is time Africa needed to take a deeper look on how sports and tourism can showcase the its rich potentials and culture to the world.
According to him, “As the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, he has a great role to play in what we’re doing especially for football in Nigeria.
“It is great honour as somebody that God has given the privilege to manage the affairs of football in this great country, to be with you because everybody knows what you have done for football in Nigeria.
“We need to be serious about sports tourism because it is something that bring people together from different backgrounds.
He added, “We really don’t know what we have here in Africa but it is time to let the whole world know what we have here. Sports and tourism will not only promote our rich culture but can generate funds for Africa”.
The founder of the African Sports Tourism Awards, Ambassador Peace Onuiru while speaking with journalists, explained that this initiative is all about how sports is going to drive tourism, adding that tourism alone can improve Gross Domestic Product GDP of the whole African continent.
Amb Onuiru who is also the President, Project Fly With Us Afrika noted that the award is aimed to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to leveraging sports to propel tourism development.