National Sport Commission Pledges Support for Nigerian Sport Award

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged to throw its weight behind the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Award in its quest to inspire outstanding performances in Nigerian sportsmen and women through recognition and reward. The Director General, National Sport Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut made this known in Abuja recently when he received members of the Award Panel who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Addressing the members of the Award Panel during the courtesy visit, Yakmut commended the effort of the organizers for remaining steadfast and committed towards the objectives of the Award, which is to reward excellence performance among Nigerian athletes.

The Director General noted that the Nigerian Sports Award could be described as the outsourced aspect of the National Sports Policy, which has provision for Reward & Incentives. He added that the Commission needs to give its maximum support to the initiative especially in line with the Public-Private Partnership drive of the government.

A Member of the Award Panel,Nigerian Sports Award, Mitchel Obi, presenting an award to the Director General, National Sports Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut in Abuja recently.

Speaking earlier on the mission of the team to the National Sports Commission, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Ikeddy Isiguzo disclosed that the Panel was in Abuja to congratulate Yakmut on his recent appointment as the Director General and also to deepen the relationship between the Commission and the Nigerian Sports Award.

Isiguzo called for more participation and involvement of the National Sport Commission in the Nigerian Sport Award by making its presence felt during the award Gala Night ceremony which he described as the celebration of the achievements of the sports Ministry.

He used the occasion to announce to the Director General that the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award would hold at a yet to be made public date in November at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“We want more presence from the Ministry and the reason is very obvious, whatever anybody says, the Ministry does a lot for the athletes and when we have an event of that magnitude, the presence of the Sports Ministry from the Minister of Sports to the Director General and other key office holders is very important because we are celebrating the achievement of the Ministry’’ he said.

Nigeria Sports Awards

While presenting the Nigerian Sports Award plaque to the Director General as a mark of honour, Mitchel Obi, a member of the Award Panel stated that the appointment of Yakmut is well deserved having come a long way in Nigerian sports from being a Volleyball player to an administrator.

“It is our privilege to present to you this unique award for your commitment to sports development in Nigeria and also a reflection of the vision you have for Nigerian sports and we believe that with the Nigerian Sports Award, it is a recognition for those who have excelled and those who are on the path of excellence.

BBC Celebrates Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri

For being the first Africa to be named the 2014 best table tennis player in world, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has celebrated the feat achieved by Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri.

A focus on the award-winning athlete was featured in the recent Focus on Africa sports programme.

Quadri, who recently signed for a French top division club after five seasons in the Portuguese elite league with a lot of laurels in his kitty was lauded for his giant strides in 2014 and the first non-Asian and European to achieve such in the second edition of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Award held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Aruna Quadri during the ITTF Star Awards at the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa on January 7, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Aside being named the Star Player, he also scooped the Star Point of the Year award beating other top players across the world to the title.

The three minutes was filmed at the Portugal base of Quadri with focus on his training schedule and league matches for GD Toledos.

There was also focus on his family and his challenges as a player who defied all odds to become one of the best in the world.

The feature on BBC was also hailed by the President of ITTF, Thomas Weikert, describing Quadri as a pride to Africa.

For Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ITTF, Judit Farago, this is a plus to the sport globally.

“I woke up in Lausanne and switched on BBC World News in my hotel room. The first report I saw was Aruna Quadri’s portrait! Cannot imagine better start of a day,” said Farago.

Aruna Quadri recieving his Nigeria Sports Awards 2014 Award

President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi was so excited that he said he is proud of Quadri.

“I felt so proud when I saw it because no table tennis player from Africa has been featured like that on BBC. This is good for promotion of the sport on the continent,” Oshodi said.

Nigerian Sports Award Salutes Okagbare, Gov. Uduaghan

Blessing okagbare

The organizers of the Nigeria Spots Award (NSA), Unmissable Incentives Limited has commended the Nigeria Track and Field Queen, Blessing Okagbare for winning the 100m gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and setting a new game record of 10.85 seconds.

Okagbare, who won the Track and Field Star and Sports Woman of the Year awards at the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Sports Awards, has been in fantastic form this year with an outstanding performance at the IAAF Diamond League and other competitions preceding the Commonwealth Games.

According to the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Blessing Okagbare has justified her place in history and also justified winning the Track and Field Star and the Sport Woman of the Year awards last year. She has also justified the investment of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led Delta State Government.

“We at Nigerian Sports Award are very proud to be associated with Blessing, we are proud of her achievement and with this achievement, Blessing has lent credence to the credibility of Nigerian sports Award” he said.

Kayode Idowu also commended the unrelentless effort of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for the scholarship and immense support for Blessing which has brought her this far.

He noted that with this incredible achievement by Blessing, the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Award has also vindicated on the Sports Governor of the Year award bestowed on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the 2013 edition of the Award.

He then urged Blessing to continue to give her best to win more gold medals in her other event at the Games while charging other Nigerian Athletes at the Commonwealth Games to put in their best in their respective games to win more medals for the country.

L-R-Mrs Bunmi Oke, President AAAN,Kola Oyeyemi,And Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (Winner, Sport Governor of the year).

LAGOS SWAN CUP 2014: Team SWAN calls up Ogazi, Alao, Obi, Awogu and others

LAGOS SWAN CUP 2014: Team SWAN calls up Ogazi, Alao, Obi, Awogu and others….Rafiu Ladipo as Centre Referee and Seyi Akinwunmi, Match Comm

Ahead of the Lagos SWAN Cup 2014, the technical committee in conjunction with the Team SWAN Coaching crew after weeks of scouting and deliberation has released a provisional list of players that will take on the Nollywood All Stars at the novelty match to herald the official opening ceremony of the SWAN Cup 2014.

A Shortlist of 34 players has been submitted to the coaching crew but this list will be pruned down to 18 players and 4 officials. The game which will last 50 minutes with 25 minutes both halves will be 11 a side and each team will be made up of male and female players, with an unlimited number of substitutions.

Top on the list is long standing captain Paul Ogazi, the Mastersports duo of Ejiro Omonode and AIPS Africa President Mitchell Obi, also invited to camp is Brilafm Boss Larry Izamoje, Hotsports MD Taye Ige, Supersport GM Felix Awogu, Jenkins Alumona, Mumini Alao and Super Eagles Media Officer Ben Alaiya while a high powered women’s list consist of Ejiro Babafemi, Nneka Anibeze,Henrietta Ukaigwe, Blessing Nwosu, Pepsie Adiukwu, Mercy Igbafe, and Barrong Tony-Uranta amongst others.

Meanwhile, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President General, Nigerian Supporters Club Worldwide, will be the Centre Referee. The no nonsense centre referee has asked that both teams come with their “A” game as he would not be showing them any favours but concluded that FIFA rules will be applied to the fullest, while the Lagos State FA Chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has been appointed match commissioner of the day.

In the same vein, the Sponsor, Winners Golden Bet speaking through their Assistant General Manager, Deji Beecroft, have promised to spice up the event in their own way. Beecroft is set to lead a large entourage of supporters to the game while stating that this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between his company and Lagos SWAN.

On its own part, Organisers of the Nigerian Sports Awards, Unmissable Incentives LTD have stated that their drive to use Awards as a form of stimulating growth in Nigerian Sports is what informed their decision to provide all the medals and trophies that will be won during SWAN CUP 2014.

Kits for all the teams that make it to the Semi finals of the Lagos SWAN CUP 2014 will be provided by OWUSPORTS Nigeria, and C.E.O. Of the company Barrister Tunji Brown has promised fresh designs which he says are the hallmark of OWU.

So come Thursday, April 24, 2014 all roads lead to the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, as Team SWAN battles Team Nollywood in the SWAN Cup 2014 opening ceremony novelty match.

The Full list for Team SWAN below:

Paul Ogazi

Mitchel Obi

Ejiro Omonode

Larry Izamoje

Mumini Alao

Felix Awogu

Niyi Oyeleke

Felix Okugbe

Taye Ige

Onochie Anibeze

Adekunle Salami

Chris Opara

Dapo Sotiminu

Ben Alaiya

Tony Ubani

George Aluo

Jide Alabi

Jenkins Alumona

Ladi Egbedire

Godwin Enakhena

Ken Ochonogor

Femi Obong Daniel

Mike Maiyaki

Ejiro Babafemi

Henrietta Ukaigwe

Blessing Nwosu

Deola (NTA)

Pepsie Adiukwu

Mercy Igbafe

Barrong Tony-Uranta

Nneka Anibeze

Mariah Olatunji

Cecilia Omorogbe

Anulika (VON)

Anabel Okweri )FRCN)

Chisom Mbonu.

Mikel wins Goal Nigeria Player of the Year Award 2013

Mikel wins Goal Nigeria Player of the Year Award 2013

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has once again been voted the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year by readers of the website.

Mikel won the title ahead of Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and Godfrey Oboabona.

The Chelsea man polled 49 per cent of votes cast to win the title for the second time after being voted winner in 2012. He finished ahead of compatriots Enyeama (28.6%), Emenike (13.2%), Moses (6.4%) and Oboabona (2.8%).

A happy Mikel told Goal: “It’s an honour to win this award again and I’m very happy to know that my people, my Nigerian fans, support me and love what I’m doing.”

In a year filled with highlights in which he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, scored his first English Premier League goal for Chelsea after eight years and then capped it with 2014 World Cup qualification, Mikel is certainly spoilt for choice with regards to his personal high.

“I think if I had to pick one, I’d say winning the Africa Cup of Nations – that was really big for me and for the country because we’ve waited for almost 20 years to win it again.

“Going into that tournament, I don’t think many people really gave us a chance of winning it but we had the belief that we’ve got a very good team and a very good manager.

“The way the team has changed in the past couple of years, especially with the younger players, we were hungry for success. I think winning the Africa Cup of Nations was the big one for me,” he said.

With a big year ahead as he looks to finally make his World Cup debut after missing South Africa 2010 due to injury, Mikel stated that it will be great to face the big South Americans Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F and try to make it to the next round.

“You say [the game against Argentina] is the tough one but this is why you play in the World Cup – you want to play big games. You want to play against the likes of Argentina, Spain, Germany, countries like these.

“So coming up against the likes of [Lionel] Messi, [Sergio] Aguero and all those good players is going to be a big test for us but it’s a test that we want to see how well we are doing. If we do well in the Argentina game and get a good result, maybe a draw, and then get two wins against the other two teams, it will hopefully put us through to the next round,” said Mikel.

It’s been a very eventful year for Mikel who only last month was voted “sportsman of the year” at the Nigerian sports awards 2013 and he is also in contention for the prestigious GLO/CAF Awards coming up early next year In Lagos, Nigeria