As the 2015 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award enters its voting phase, the organisers of the award, Unmissable Incentives Limited has unveiled the list of the top three nominees in each category of the award.
The top nominees were unveiled at a press conference held in Lagos today, October 7th, 2015
Speaking at the press conference, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo explained that the top nominees emerged having recorded highest frequency of nominations by the members of the public for their outstanding performances in their respective sports.
“The shortlisted nominees for the 2015 edition of the award is a true reflection of the majority wish of the Nigerians as expressed through nominations for the different categories during the nomination phase’’ he said.
Isiguzo reiterated that an athlete is only eligible to win the Nigerian Sports Award if members of the public nominate him or her during the nomination phase for the award during the year of the award.
Speaking shortly before announcing the top nominees, the Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu noted that the long list of nominations was painstakingly scrutinized by the panel to shortlist the top nominees.
Unveiling the nominees, Kayode Idowu noted that two times winner of the Ball Sports Person of the Year, Aruna Quadri was re-nominated for the category alongside the duo of Chamberlain Oguchi and Olumide Oyedeji who are members of the victorious National Basketball team, D’ Tigers that won the just concluded FIBA Africa tournament.
Idowu announced that the Coach of the National Men’s Basketball team, William Voight will be competing with Are Feyisetan, Nigerian Powerlifting Coach and the Women Cycling Coach, Bashir Mohammed for the Coach of the Year category.
Nigerian Wrestler, Boltic Sinivie, tackles Efe Ajagba (Boxing) and Henry Hendrix (Kungfu) are the top three nominees for the Combat Sport Person of the Year while Awoniyi Taiwo (Football), Kelechi Nwanaga (Javeline), Amusan Tobiloba (Hurdles) top nominations for the Discovery of the Year category.
In the football category, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie and Ngozi Okobi are contesting for the Footballer of the Year (Women) category while Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa and the top scorer, in the ongoing 2015 professional football league, Tunji Adeniji are the top nominees for the Footballer of the Year (Men).
Idowu also revealed that World record breakers at the just concluded All African Games, Yakubu Adesokan, Loveline Obiji, will slog it out with Lovina Onyegbule for the Special Sport Person of the Year while the President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali battles Director General of the National Sports Commission, Yakmut Alhassan for the Sports Administrators of the Year category.
Weightlifter, Balqis Otunla tackles Loveline Obiji and Lovina Onyegbule for the Sports Woman of the Year award while Yakubu Adesokan, Chamberlain Oguchi and Aruna Quadri are the top three nominees for the Sports Man of the Year.
For the School Sports Award, Eyeanugie Primary School, Edo state, winners of the Channels kid cup 2015, Rochas Okorocha Foundation College, winners of Shell cup 2015 battles the former winner of the category, Greensprings College for the award.
The Nigerian Men Basketball Award team, D’Tigers, the Women Cycling Team and Beach Volleyball team are the three top nominees for the Team of the Year category.
Kelechi Nwanaga (Javeline), Uke Claire (Discuss), Tosin Oke (Triple Jump) a gold medalist at the just concluded All African Games are the top three contenders for the Track and Field Star of the year while Mariam Usman battles Balqis Otunla for the weightlifter of the Year award.
The public voting for Sportsman and Sportswoman commences on Wednesday 7th of October 2015 and will end on Sunday 15th November 2015. Members of the public are expected to send SMS SMOTY for Sportsman of the Year or SWOTY for Sportswoman of the Year and the name of the athlete to 33140 or nominate through twitter using the hashtag #SWOTY or #SMOTY and the name of choice winner to @ngrsportsaward.
The 2015 Nigerian Sports Award event is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Marquee, Oceanview, Eko Hotel, Lagos.
newfanzone 