Awards to Sports Legends
Kenyan runner Tegla Louroupe is now a member of the African Sports Hall of Fame, inducted March 19 at the gala ceremony in Marrakech for the 2011 Africa International Sports convention.
The gala came at the end of the three-day convention, the sixth annual edition of the only conference in Africa dealing with international sports issues.
The conference drew about 200 delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, including nearly a dozen IOC members and all three bid cities for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Along with Loroupe, Mali football legend Salif Keïta was inducted to the hall of fame as male athlete for 2011.
Olympian Hicham El Guerrouj, winner of 2010 male hall of fame nomination, accepted the trophy at the gala last week after being unavailable to attend the 2010 convention in South Africa.
The award for sport development in Africa went to the International Hockey Federation for its work to build new pitches on the continent. IHF President Leandro Negril attended the gala to accept the award.
Others recognized at the gala in Marrakech:
Dr. Kostre Woldemeskel of Ethiopia, recipient of the first award issued to coaches. Woldemeskel is known for his work to put Ethiopian athletes on the right track, including Haile Gebreselassie.
Foot solidarité, France received the Sport Humanitarian award for its work to protect young African football players abandoned in France by agents and clubs after being dropped in their quests to become professionals.
Dr. Hossam El Din Mostafa Saad of Egypt was honored for contributing to the development of the African Paralympic Movement.
Senegal’s Abdoulaye Sèye Moreau was recognized for his work as a Sport Leader/Administrator. He is a former FIBA president and president of the NOC of Senegal from 2002 to 2006.
Quest for a Stolen Bronze Medal
A special award was made to Issaka Dabore, three-time boxing Olympian from Niger. His bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics was the first medal for Niger in the sport.
When Dabore returned to Niger from Munich, he says a government official took the medal, ostensibly for a short period, to help the boxer secure government aid. The medal was never returned.
Now 71, the former welterweight has struggled through the years since his Olympic career.
In presenting the award, CISA organizer Diamil Faye said a campaign would be launched to get a new bronze medal for Dabore. Faye exhorted IOC members attending the CISA gala to help secure the medal.
Mali Hosts 2012 CISA
The 6th edition of CISA will take place in Bamako, Mali in March 2012. Exact dates and venue, to be determined.
Written by Ed Hula.
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