Lagos, March 2, 2024 (NAN) The Immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Sen. Orji Kalu on Friday got awarded for their contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awardees were honoured at the fourth Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.
Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, Nigeria Golf Federation also bagged the recognition award.
Mr Frank Ilaboya, Convener of the award said Runsewe was honoured for his immense contributions to sports in Nigeria and most specifically the sport of golf.
Ilaboya said Runsewe in 1999, led women to the women under 20 Worldcup in Germany, where he used the opportunity to leverage business opportunities for Nigeria.
He said Runsewe’s keen interest in sports was followed by the establishment of Sports Weekly in 1994.
“Today, Chief Runsewe is the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation and under his watch, the game of golf has witnessed a new level of development.
“Runsewe, in 2021 hosted the first ever national conference of stakeholders in the golf,” he said.
In his response, Runsewe said “Thank you for this. I feel very proud as a Nigerian being celebrated in my lifetime.
“This is one honour I will cherish for life. I dedicate this award to all Nigerian that lost their lives in Ivory coast during the All Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“I want to thank the former Minister for Sports, Dr Sunday Dare for the support he has given to golf during his tenure.
“I like to challenge all sports lover, Nigeria must take the right position in sport. Our Nigerian referees need to be educated, right now, they hardly invite our referees to multi-national matches, we need to change our attitude.”
Other eminent sports personalities were also rewarded for their various contributions to the growth of sports in the country.
Dare got awarded as ‘Sports Administrator of the Year’, while Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo was honoured for providing a state-of-the-art sporting complex, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
Others are Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye; Victor Ochei, former Delta commissioner for sports; Chief Solomon Ogba, and Igoche Mark.
Also on the award list is Eddington Kuejubola, a one time coordinator of the Super Eagles; as well as ace sports journalist and FIFA recognised World Cup attendee, Mr Kunle Solaja, who both got special recognition awards.
Sam Ochebo, President of Handball Federation, got an award for his landmark achievements in development of handball in Nigeria.
The long list of awardees also has Hajiya Zainab Saleh, for pioneering the promotion of women in Karate in Nigeria, while Mrs Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, a retired director, got recognised for her prowess in sports administration at the Federal Ministry of Sports.
Uyi Akpata, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, got an award for championing the growth of Cricket in Nigeria, while Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Jenkins Alumona and Chikelue Iloenyosi also got rewarded for efforts in their various fields.
Oladimeji Oshode was awarded ‘Media Officer of the Year’.
A post humous award was given to Late Sebastian Brodricks.
Speaking on the event, it’s Chairman and Head of Local Organising Committee, Segun Odegbami, said that the award has made significant development in recognising those that have made sports great in Nigeria.
“This is an opportunity today to recall bits and pieces of our history, particularly the most successful sides.
“Those that received the honours are the ones who have made significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria either in corporate organisations or individual.
“This is a good opportunity for us to recall that history, those who have performed excellently, so I am delighted to be part of this history.
“The award that I also received was a big surprise for me, though not as a footballer, or journalist, but as a chairman of the event,” he said.
In his response, Dare said that he foresees a great future for Nigerian sports given the foundation he had laid while he was the minister. Also, Akpata said that he would continue to lay solid foundation for cricket in Nigeria.