Prior to Nigeria's independence in 1960,few Nigerians had taken the international sporting arena by storm,and in the process engrained Nigeria's name in the sands of time.
The likes of Emmanuel Ifeajuna who won a gold medal in High jump event during the 1954 Commonwealth games,Hogan'kid'Bassey who became the World Featherweight Boxing king in 1957 and Richard Ihetu,aka,Dick Tiger who won the World Middleweight crown in the late50s and early60s.
Sports began to take serious roots in the country in 1963 when the National Sports Commission (NSC) was instituted.The 60's was a period of laying foundation and the only visible achievement was the qualification of Nigeria's Green Eagles for the Olympic games held in Mexico in 1968.
The 1970's also witnessed tremendous achievements.Nigeria's senior football team won a gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa Games.
The country's record of achievements continued in the 80's especially in football.The bronze medal wons in 1976 and 1978 in the Africa cup of Nations was improved upon in 1980 when the Christian Chukwu led Green Eagles won the cup for the first time in Lagos.
In 1984 and 1988,Nigeria again got to the finals of that championship but lost to Cameroon on both occasions to win the silver medal.
In 1985,the Golden Eaglets,football team went to China and conquered the World in the first ever FIFA under 17 World cup.The victory took Nigeria to a high pedestal,earning the nation respect.
At the 1990 commonwealth Games in Auckland,New Zealand,Nigeria perfoormed marvelously,winning five gold,13 silver and seven bronze medals.
The country stormed the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 winning silver in the 4*100m.Two Nigerian boxers also won silver medals.Chioma Ajunwa also bagged an individual gold in the women's Long Jump event at the Atlanta '96 Olympic Games.
The Country's senior football team,the Super Eagles have had fluctuating fortunes in continental and world football.Between 1994 and 2014,the country qualified for the world cup France '98,Korea/Japan 2002,South Africa 2010 and lately Brazil 2014.And the country only crossed the group stage in 1994 and 2014 respectively.The country has won three AFCON titles in 1980,1994 and 2013.
The Golden Eaglets on the other hand has won four FIFA under17 championship in 1985,1993,2007,2013 respectively.
The country's male basketball team also qualified for the Olympics for the first in 2012.In the London games, the basket ball team like the other team did not do well.
Nigeria has also produced greats sport stars like Hakeem Olajuwon in Basketball,Nduka Odizor in Lawn tennis,Mike Opara(power Mike),a former world wrestling champion,Stephen keshi,Blessin Okagbare,Jay-Jay Okocha,Kanu Nwakwo,the list is endless,who .have made the Nation proud these 54years.

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