Oragnisers of the yearly Nigeria Pitch Awards have revealed plans to host a yearly conference where issues affecting the country’s sports would be dissected and solutions proffered by experts.
The oragnisers also said that part of the plan is to look at ways to make the country’s sports a lucrative sector that caters for all stakeholders in the industry.
Speaking at the unveiling of the 12th edition of the awards in Lagos, the organisers also revealed that voting for the 2025 winners has begun, adding that the college of voters have been assembled to make the process seamless.
Speaking at the event, President, Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, commended the partners and members of the college of voters from across the country for their commitment to the growth of the awards.
He said: “The journey to the 12th edition of the awards is the story of the determination of all stakeholders to establish and sustain a reward platform for our footballers, administrators, football lovers, and supporters.”
While announcing the organisers’ plans to host a yearly sports conference preceding the awards, he said: “Our vision is to make the gathering a unique opportunity to renew and re-focus national attention on sports in Nigeria and open up avenues for administrators to harness the opportunities sports provide.”
Philips also confirmed that the Striker of the Year Award would henceforth be named the “Rashidi Yekini Award” in honour of the late Super Eagles goal poacher, who remains Nigeria’s all-time highest goal scorer with 37 goals in 62 appearances.
The organisers also confirmed that voting for the 12th edition, which has recognised and honoured Nigeria’s top on-the-pitch and off-the-pitch performers in football since 2013, began on Wednesday.
At the event such football personalities as Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Ademola Olajire; Director of Audit and Assurance at SIAO Partners, Oluwadare Ojelabi; and top sports editors, television and radio sports presenters, pundits, and columnists.
Olajire, who represented the NFF, expressed the Federation’s satisfaction with the standard and procedure that the organisers have established since its inception in Calabar in 2013.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ojelabi restated SIAO Partners’ readiness to continue to support the football awards, noting that it was part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. SIAO Partners have been involved in collating and auditing the entire voting process since 2014.
