Nigeria’s former athlete and 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa, MON, has felicitated with her compatriot, Mary Onyali on her appointment as the Special Adviser (SA) on sports to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Akin Dare.

In a release Thursday, the 1996 Long Jump Olympic Gold Medallist extolled the former Commonwealth gold medallist for her strides and expressed total faith in her ability to deliver in her new assignment.

Mrs Ajunwa also commended the minister of Youth and Sports Development for recognising the important role ex internationals can play in repositioning sports in Nigeria.

“Your appointment to this highly exalted position in service to our motherland, is a justification of your innate ability and selfless service to our beloved country.

“You have served this country in your capacity as a sprinter during which you became a great ambassador of our great nation.

“You represented this country at various competitions – continental and global – and won medals including bronze at both 1992 and 1996 Olympics, among others.

“It is also worthy to note that your appointment has shown the common belief and resolve by the Honourable Minister to give ex internationals their pride of place in sports in Nigeria.

“I wish also to commend the Minister for this great step in recognising the role of ex internationals in contributing to the building and growth of sports in Nigeria.

“I have no doubt in my mind that your wealth of experience will not only give the minister a sense of direction in his vision to reposition Nigeria sports but will be an added leverage in reaching out to our athletes, federations, administrators, ex internationals as well as stakeholders with a view to signposting a rebirth of sports development in Nigeria,” she said.