CISA 2011 Pays Tribute to the Only Olympic Medal Holder of Niger
The 5th edition of Africa International Sport Convention (CISA) was held from 17th to 19th March 2011 in Marrakech, Morocco. It was organized by JAPPO SA, in collaboration with the Association of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), in partnership this year with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports and Morocco National Olympic Committee (CNOM).
The major innovation during the gala night closing CISA 2011 is the Special award whose winner is the former Nigerian boxer Issaka Dabore, the only Olympic medal holder of his country. He got a bronze medal in boxing at the Summer Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich (Germany). The event held in Munich was his third participation in the Olympiads following those of 1964 in Tokyo, Japan and 1968 in Mexico City, Mexico.
By presenting this award to him, CISA organizing committee has sought to call the political and sports authorities’ attention on the situation of some athletes and former African champions who, instead of being heroes become insignificant people. Even if he is the first and only Olympic medalist of his country with all the due credit, Issaka Dabor is not only forgotten and lives in very poor conditions, but he was also victim of a malicious person who has gone for a few years with his medal. Now he has only his memories to relive the moment of glory and pride he brought to his country that nevertheless gave his name to a stadium.
The appeal that the organizing committee of CISA made by giving him the trophy has already had positive feedback and the procedure for providing a replica of a medal for Dabore will be initiated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by Niger National Olympic Committees (NOCs), according to the secretary General of the NOC Mr. Ide Issaka, and will certainly give satisfactory results.
The approach of JAPPO, organizer of CISA was welcomed by Issaka Dabore. ‘’ I thank CISA for doing me this honor. It is a gesture that goes straight to my heart. In life, one cannot escape his destiny. I knew that, considering the services rendered to the sport of my country, that my merit would be recognized someday. I encourage young African athletes to show professionalism and perseverance in work, “said the former Nigerian boxer who is now 73 years old.
Editor’s Note
About CISA
The International Convention for Sport in Africa (CISA) is an initiative of JAPPO (www.jappo.org), an event and sport Management Company, based in Dakar, Senegal. Initiated in 2007, CISA is the only exchange platform on Sport in Africa. It is an event that gathers annually in a different African city, sports professionals at the African and international level. CISA thus represents a unique opportunity for companies / organizations to meet and to network with African sports decision makers to take advantage of and emerging market.
After Dakar, CISA was organized in Abuja (Nigeria) in 2008, in Alexandria (Egypt) in 2009 and Ekurhuleni (South Africa) in 2010.
For more information, visit http://www.cisaconvention.org
For more information on JAPPO, you can visit the company web site: www.jappo.org