Former Super Eagles captain and Olympic gold medallist, Nwankwo Kanu, has described the special recognition award given to Sports Minister Sunday Dare at the Maldives 2023 Sports Awards as a big boost to Nigeria.
The football legend said he was particularly elated when the citation for the award was read out to a global sports audience at such a big event.
The citation goes thus; “During the outstanding tenure of Mr. Sunday Akin Dare, he has made giant strides towards the development of sports infrastructure and Nigeria’s results in the international stage have been phenomenal.
“Mr. Sunday Dare has received the most prestigious awards which include the highest order of Sports Administrator Awards by Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and he also received the Public Service Award of Excellence presented to him by the President Muhammadu Buhari and numerous awards including the Most Innovative Minister Award by New Telegraph Newspapers, during his great career as a Sports Minister.
“To appreciate and celebrate the support to the sport community, we are honoured to present this Special Recognition Award to the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare.”
The former Arsenal player added that he was overwhelmed with joy that an administrator in Nigeria was so honoured at an international stage before many reputable current and former sports icons.
“I was so elated that a Nigerian got such recognition. Somehow the people of Maldives are aware of the good works of our sports minister and that is a big plus for us. I pray that the template he will leave behind will be followed by those coming after him. Nigerians should be proud of this man,” Kanu said.
The ex-international was also a recipient of the football icon award along with Italy’s Fabio Canavaro and England’s David James.
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