Atanda Musa, now 60 year old, is one player from Nigeria that brought flair to the sport. Musa’s backhand play, and the loop associated with it remains his pièce de résistance and the 10-time African Singles champion, who currently lives in United States, has been recognised for his immense contribution to the sport in his native country Nigeria.

The icons were selected by voting from Nigerians across the globe with football stars like Nwankwo  Kanu, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel  Amunike of the famed 1994 and Atlanta 1996 Dream Team dominating the list selected by a wide spectrum of Nigerians.

According to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, the icons were recognised in order to inspire the present athletes to also aim higher in their various fields.

Also star radio commentators Mazi Ernest Okonkwo and Dr Larry Izamoje, as well as Africa’s richest man and sports philanthropist Aliko Dangote; late Africa’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Moshood  Abiola and billionaire Chief Adebutu Kesington were also listed.

The colourful event was attended by Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Senator Adeleke, Minister of State for Health; Dr. (Mrs.) Ahmed S. Zainab, Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,  Minister of Interior and Sharon Ikpeazor, Minister of State for Environment.

The 60 selected sports icons are:

1. Chioma Ajunwa

2. Mary Onyali

3. Jighere Wellington

4. Odion Aikhoje

5. Duncan Dokiware

6. Austin Okocha

7. Kanu Nwankwo

8. Feyisetan Are

9. Blessing Okagbare

10. Garba Lawal

11. Lucy Ejike

12. Falilat Ogunkoya/Atlanta 96 Women’s 4x400m Quartet

13. Sunday Bada/Sydney 2000 Men’s 4x400m Quartet

14. Football Dream Team, Atlanta 1996 Olympics

15. Emmanuel Amunike

16. Chika Chukwumeriji

17. Davidson Ezinwa

18. Odunayo Adekuoroye

19. Modupe Oshikoya

20. Peter Konyegwachie

21. Olusoji Fasuba

22. Nduka Ugbade/Sebastine Broadricks Emasuen/1985 GOLDEN EAGLETS

23. Hogan Bassey

24. Dick Tiger

25. Samuel Peters

26. Barcelona 92′ quartet (Men’s 4x100m Relay)

27. Funke Oshonaike

28. Segun Odegbami

29. D’Tigress

30. Segun Toriola

31. Roland Ezuruike

32. Mayegun Nojeem

33. SAM IGUN

34. Israel Adesanya

35. Super Eagles 1994

36. Olumide Oyedeji

37. Blessing Oborududu

38. Tompraba Grikpa

39. Chidi Imoh

40. Christian Chukwu

41. Ajibola Adeoye

42. Stephen Keshi

43. Atanda Musa

44. Muda Lawal/Emmanuel Okala/Green Eagles 1980

45. Daniel Amokachi

46. Rashidi Yekini

47. Teslim Thunder Balogun

48. Perpetual Nkwocha

49. Super Falcons

50. Power Mike

51. Flora Ugwunwa

52. Lauretta Onye

53. Sam Okwaraji

54. Nduka Odizor

55. David Izonrite

56. Chief MKO Abiola

57. Dr. Larry Izamoje

58. Mazi. Ernest Okonkwo

59. Alh. Aliko Dangote

60. Chief Sir Kesington Adebutu