Karim Olowu Ayinla Babalola (1924 – 2019)

Nigerian Athlete, Long Jumper and Sprinter

Karim Olowu

Date of Birth and Death

7 June 1924 – August 14 2019

Place of Birth:

Lagos, Nigeria

Profession

Athlete, Long Jumper and Sprinter

Nationality:

Nigeria

Zodiac Sign:

Gemini

Age: Died at 95 years old

ABOUT

Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola “KAB” Olowu (7 June 1924 – 14 August 2019) was a Nigerian sprinter and long jumper who was part of Nigeria’s first delegation to the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Olowu participated in the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics. He also competed in the 1950 British Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) in Auckland, New Zealand. At the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Canada, he won silver medals in the long jump and the 4×110 yards relay, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win two medals at the Commonwealth Games. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he became the first Nigerian Olympic torch bearer. He was one of Africa’s oldest living Olympians.

BEFORE FAME

Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola “KAB” Olowu began his sporting career in 1936 at Saint Paul’s Primary School, Breadfruit Lagos, where he represented his school in the Empire Day Athletics, a celebration held in honor of British Empire Day. He later attended CMS Grammar School in Lagos, serving as the sports prefect (Prefectus Ludorum).

Olowu initially worked as a civil servant before earning a Federal Government scholarship in 1952 to study Physical Education at Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England. He graduated with honors in 1955.

CAREER

Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola “KAB” Olowu was a trailblazer in Nigerian athletics, being among the first group of Nigerians to participate in the Olympic Games. He represented Nigeria in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, competing in the long jump and relay races. Additionally, he participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1950, 1954, and 1958, winning silver medals in the long jump and sprint relay in the 1958 edition.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Olowu made significant contributions as an athletics official. He was a prominent member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for many years and served as an official at the 8th Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1966. He was the Nigerian team manager for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, although the African countries boycotted the games due to the inclusion of apartheid-era South Africa.

Olowu held several key positions, including Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Council and chief starter at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos. He also served as captain and coach of the national teams at various times, further cementing his legacy in Nigerian sports.

FAMILY LIFE

Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola “KAB” Olowu was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 June 1924, to B. M. S. Olowu and R. A. Olowu (née Tinubu). He was the first grandson of Madam Tinubu and Saka Tinubu, belonging to a wealthy Yoruba family.

Olowu began his education at Saint Paul’s Primary School, Breadfruit Lagos, where he started his sporting career by representing his school in the Empire Day Athletics in 1936. He then attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos, where he served as the sports prefect (Prefectus Ludorum). In 1952, he received a Federal Government scholarship to study Physical Education at Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England, and graduated with honors in 1955.

After retiring from athletics, Olowu worked in the Nigerian Prison system. His passion for sports led him to establish the sports complex at the Nigerian Prison in Kirikiri, Lagos, and to found the Prisons Athletics Club, which produced many athletes for Nigeria.

Olowu was married to Aminat Olowu (née Abina) until her death. He served as the Chairman of the Olowu Descendants Union and was the head of the Tinubu family. He had many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Olowu birthday date is 7 June and he passed away on August 14 2019 at his daughter’s family hospital and was buried the next day according to Muslim rites.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola “KAB” Olowu received numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career, highlighting his significant contributions to sports in Nigeria:

  • Nigerian Olympic Committee Inc Award (1995)
  • Ten Years Merit Award from the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) (1996)
  • National Sports Award (1987)
  • OGS Merit Awards for Contribution and Service to CMS Grammar School and Nigeria (2003)
  • Special Awards for Meritorious Service to the Development of Sports in Nigeria by Football College (2001)
  • Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) (2006)

These awards underscore his dedication to athletics and his impact on sports development in Nigeria.

Karim Olowu Ayinla Babalola Nnah Net Worth

Mr. Karim Olowu Ayinla Babalola lived a simple and private life in ‘Nigeria’ when he was alive, therefore, there’s no records of his net worth to the public space.

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