Dr Uyi Akpata, the Sportsville Sports Personality of the Year Award nominee, has said the award means so much and a big honour to him.
Akpata, whose tenure as the Cricket Federation President has transformed the game beyond doubt, made the statement when the organisers, led by Frank Ilaboya, paid him a courtesy visit yesterday at his Lekki Office.
Akpata is nominated for the Prestigious Sports Personality of the Year Award for transforming the game of Cricket to the administration of all.
He spoke glowingly of the award.
“This award means so much to me, it is a motivation to do more and I promise to keep doing my best for the development and advancement of Cricket in Nigeria.
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“Last year, I was one of the recipients of the Sportsville Special Recognition Awards and now nominated for the biggest of all, the Sports Personality of the Year Award.
“Honestly, this is a very big honour and I am excited about it. This shows that people are keeping tabs of ones performances.
“Like I said earlier, this award will spur me to do more. There is definitely more to do for the growth of the game.
“Our vision is very clear, to make the game as popular as possible and create mass participation and followership.
“That is why we are taking our time to build the game holistically, from facilities to human capital development, to players and officials empowerment, name it, it’s a whole lot of work in progress.
“But my joy is that our vision for the game is getting a lot of traction and acceptability. I feel fulfilled that more and more people are taking to the game, it shows that the future is bright.”
Akpata’s nomination was widely hailed by the sports community especially cricket lovers notably that of Ejiro Omonode, a cricket buff and the Managing Director of Masters Sports International.
“This is one award that is fitting and timely, richly deserved I must tell you,” Omonode noted, recalling Akpata’s antecedents with cricket.
“Nigeria’s rise in Cricket doesn’t surprise me because I know the calibre of Akpata. As a former Cricket player, his passion for the game is second to none. And when you combine this with his administrative acumen, the result is what you are seeing today.
“Congratulations my brother Uyi Akpata for this milestone achievement,” Omonode added.
Dr Uyi Akpata and other 15 nominees will be decorated on Friday, March 21st at the high profile Eko Club, Surulere Lagos.