*IGP EGBETOKUN TO RECEIVE SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS AWARD AT EVENT
All is now set for the 10th edition of Nigeria Pitch Awards, holding today at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resorts in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The award which is in 18 categories, will see in-form Super Eagles players, Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface and others battling for honours in the Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, King of the Pitch, and Striker of the Year categories.
Super Falcon stars, Asisat Oshoala, Rashedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie will also join the fray in other categories including, the Queen of the Pitch award.
The award will also see prominent Nigerians including state governors and corporate bodies honoured in the Sam Okwaraji Award, Football Pitch, Football-Friendly Governor, Corporate Sponsor, award categories.
The award will also honour media practitioners in the print, broadcast and online categories.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, will be honoured by the Nigeria Pitch Awards with the prestigious Special Achievement in Sports Award, an award set aside to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of sports in Nigeria, and celebrating those whose dedication and efforts have profoundly impacted the nation’s sporting landscape.
A statement on Friday signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said IGP Egbetokun has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Special Achievement in Sports Award due to his efforts in sports development within the Nigeria Police Force and his relentless pursuit of excellence in sports across the country.
See full nominees for the Nigeria Pitch awards…
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC).
Defender of the Year: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK).
Midfielder of the Year: Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC).
Striker of the Year: Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen).
Queen of the Pitch: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico de Madrid Femenino); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC).
King of the Pitch: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Emeka Obioma (Enyimba FC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen).
Team of the Year: Super Falcons; Enyimba FC; Remo Stars.
Coach of the Year: Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars); Finidi George (Enyimba FC); Randy Waldrum (Super Falcons).
Sam Okwaraji Award: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Ahmed Musa; Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars).
State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Edo State; Delta State; Lagos State.
Football Pitch of the Year: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos; Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
Football-Friendly Governor of the Year: His Excellency Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State); His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State); His Excellency Godwin Obaseki (Edo State).
Corporate Sponsor of Football: Bet9ja (Sport Betting); GTI (Financial Services); MTN (Telecom).
Sportsmanship Award: Hon. Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Chairman, NPFL Board).
Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Christian Okpara (The Guardian); Charles Diya (New Telegraph); Johnny Edward (Punch Newspapers).
Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Miyen Akiri (TVC); Mozez Praiz (SuperSport); Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV).
Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): Olawale Adigun (Mainland FM); Yinka Oyedele (Brila 88.9 FM); Anthony Bekederemo (Brila 88.9 FM).
Football Journalist of the Year (Online): Samuel Ahmadu (Savid News); Tobi Adepoju (Oganla Media); Kunle Solaja.
