National Institute for Sports has conferred double honours of Sports Excellence on the Managing Director of Emmanuella Travels Mrs. Modupe Lawale in recognition of her contributions to the development of sports, especially para-sport.
She was decorated with the Fellowship of the Institute by the Director-General of the NIS Professor Olawale Moronkola yesterday as part of activities to mark the end of the Students’ Week.
Speaking during the ceremony which was delayed due to her absence during the institute’s convocation ceremony in May, Professor Moronkola said she is the only woman among other Fellows due to her selfless service to sports development over the years.
Speaking in the same vein, the President of the Students Union Government Andrew Enegbeta Obiazi said. “We decided to honour Mrs. Modupe Lawale for her immense contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and the uplift of Para sports. She has not only committed her resources and time to sports, but has deep passion for the para-sport athletes and their welfare. We are inspired by her kindness and commitment and decided to honour her in appreciation. Other people should take a cue from her life of selfless service by supporting sports”
In her response, Mrs Lawale said she was humbled but encouraged by the award.
” I’m eternally grateful for these two award of Sports Excellence and happy that our little contributions is appreciated and recognized. We shall continue to give needed support to all sports with priority on para-sports athletes. When we all come together, our sports will thrive, ” she added.
She, however, lamented the lop-sidedness in the ratio of top women sports administration as compared to their men counterparts, insisting that women ought to break barriers to get to the top.
“It is quite disheartening to see that very few women occupy positions of authority in sports administration because of matrimonial pressure, prejudice, cultural beliefs and other factors. These barriers must be removed to enable women contribute their quota to sports,” she added.