Atlanta 1996 women’s long jump champion, Chioma Ajunwa has called on the Nigeria government and it’s sports authorities to honour late track and field coach Harrison Obiajulu Momah who passed away at 83 this month.
Coach Momah is credited to have discovered and groomed a majority of the golden generation of Nigerian athletes, whom he devoted most of his life to. He was at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics where Ajunwa became the first African woman to win gold in the long jump event.
Speaking during a chat on Friday Ajunwa said coach Momah who left two teenage daughters and a young wife behind should be honoured for his contributions to the growth of Nigeria track and field and his unparallel dedication to duty.
“Coach Momah devoted his entire life coaching athletes, and never for one day encouraged his athletes to protest the short comings of sports administrators.
“He was always ready to work and achieve results. The government, the National Sports Commission should honour him for all his hard work and dedication.
“He left a young wife and two teenage daughters behind I think we should rally round the family and not let them suffer much after the loss of their father.
“I remember when coach Tobias Igwe died, it was we the athletes that tasked ourselves to make sure his wife didn’t have to suffer. We really have to appreciate what these veteran coaches did for this country.” Ajunwa said.
