Tag: Sportsville

 All roads lead to the prestigious  Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos as the 2025 edition of the annual Sportsville Recognition Awards hold today  with top dignitaries already in town  for the event .

The organisers only recently visited the Blessing Hall of the Club located at Bode Thomas in Surulere.

After the final inspection which also included various service providers, the CEO of Sportsville, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, expressed satisfaction about all aspects of the planning.

“Now, we can say that all is set. We want our special guests, dignitaries and distinguished awardees to be very comfortable and feel at home at the venue,” Ilaboya said. “We promised last year to make this edition better and that is why we have been working very hard to do just that. I am certain, Thursday night will be a pleasant evening for us all.”

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The Chairman of the ceremony, Arise TV Anchor, Oseni Rufai, is expected to be at the event along with other top personalities including the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s leading microfinance bank, Leap Above Poverty (LAPO), Dr Godwin Ehigiamosoe , and  the Managing Director of The Nations Newspapers, Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

There are seven award categories for this year’s event. They are –The Icon Category, Sports administrator of the year, Achievers’ category, Football Administrator of the Year, Special recognition category Innovative category and the corporate category.

The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Dr. Uyi Akpata, is on the cards as the sports administrator of the year while Rangers International GM, Ameobi Ezeaku is football Administrator of the Year.

As the excitement of the annual Sportsville Special Recognition Award builds up, several goodwill messages have continued to pour in for the organisers.

From Abuja, the nation’s capital comes a special message from the number one person in sports administration, the Sports Minister, Senator  John  Enoh, who appreciated Sportsville for coming up with the award.

“I am happy an organisation like yours has come up with this programme to appreciate those who have contributed to the development of sports in the nation.  This is a very good and noble initiative that deserves the support of all,” the Minister told Frank Ilaboya when he hosted him in his office last week in Abuja.

From Benin, the First Lady of Edo State, Her Excellency, Mrs Betsy Obaseki has congratulated the Organisers for the credibility of the award.

“I am happy that you guys have kept the award going strong. I liked what I saw last year when I was honoured for  promoting the girl-child  empowerment through the  annual Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament.

“Keep up the good job because I see a big future for this award,” the First Lady added.

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From the United States of America, the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu shares his joy about the award which he describes as a big motivator in the sports industry.

“Congratulations Frank for another  award ceremony. I am happy you have kept this programme going and I have no doubt that this year’s edition will be another huge success,” Agwu, a recipient in the maiden edition in 2021, said.

Anyansi was the Chairman when Enyimba Football Club won the CAF Champions League back to back  in 2003 and 2004.

The nomination of the President of Cricket Federation of Nigeria, Dr. Uyi Akpata as one of the recipients of this year’s Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, has  drawn  national and international acclaims.

From the home front,

The Hon Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, said Akpata’s recognition by Sportsville was a clear pointer of the great work the financial guru is doing with cricket in Nigeria.

“As a Ministry, we sincerely appreciate all you have been doing towards the growth of Cricket in Nigeria.

“We shall continue to support your good works to ensure the continuous development of the game in the country,” the Minister said in his goodwill message.

The International Cricket Development Manager in Africa, Patricia Kambarami, also sent his congratulatory  message.

“Heartfelt congratulations on receiving the Sportsville Special Recognition Award for your remarkable contributions for the development of Cricket in Nigeria.

“Your dedication and efforts have not only elevated the sport, but have also made strides in fostering its growth across West Africa,” Kambarami added.

Meanwhile,  cricket guru, Ejiro Omonode,  said  Akpata has taken the game of cricket to a new level  in Nigeria.

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“Uyi has transformed the game into a new dimension in the country. His dynamism and foresight have made cricket one of the most emerging and followed sports in Nigeria,” the Managing Director of Masters Sports International said. “I am happy that Sportsville is recognising all his efforts at repositioning the game.”

The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers of Nigeria (ACUSN) and Cricketers Club of Lagos also sent in their goodwill messages and lauded him for the innovation he has brought into cricket as the president.

Akpata, a board member of Edo State Sports Commission and  Chairman of the State Cricket Association, is top of the dignitaries to be honoured on Friday during the award ceremony holding at the EKO CLUB, Surulere Lagos.