President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, has enjoined the country’s football stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s efforts to restructure the country’s football and bring it to par with the best of the game across the world.
 
Philips, who said that the country’s football would regain its position among the best in the world if the reforms are concluded successfully, believes that no sacrifice would be too much for the country’s football to stand again.
 
Speaking at the 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, Philips said: “As president of these Awards, I consider it both an honour and a responsibility to stand before you at this time when our football ecosystem is undergoing an important transformation.
 
“The ongoing reforms within the relevant regulatory institutions present both opportunities and responsibilities. Reform, by its very nature, demands courage, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to embrace better ways of doing things.”

In this light, we commend President for this bold step. We would like to restate our earlier call to all stakeholders, including and especially the powerful Fourth Estate of the Realms, to support this presidential initiative and reforms.
 
“We welcome reforms that seek to strengthen football administration, improve professionalism, enhance transparency, protect stakeholders’ interests, and create an environment in which talent can flourish.”
 
On the awards, he said: “This gathering is more than an occasion for trophies, photographs, and applause. It is a celebration of talent, sacrifice, discipline, resilience, and excellence. It is an afternoon when we pause to recognise those whose commitment and performances have enriched our football and inspired millions who love the beautiful game.
 
“Awards are not merely ceremonial. They are part of the architecture of recognition and motivation within football. When we honour excellence, we send a powerful message to the young footballer watching from a pitch somewhere in this country: your talent matters; your discipline matters; your hard work will be recognised; and your contribution to football will not be forgotten.”
 
He said that the cost of organising a yearly event like the Nigeria Pitch Awards continues to rise, adding, however, that “despite these challenges, we have remained committed. We have remained committed because footballers deserve to be celebrated. They deserve to know that beyond the goals they score, the matches they win, and the records they break, there is a society that appreciates their sacrifices.”
 
At the awards, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen took the King of the Pitch crown as the country’s best male footballer, while Super Falcons’ Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, got the Queen of the Pitch gong.
 
Other winners at the event were Stanley Nwabali (Goalkeeper of the Year), Calvin Bassey (Defender of the Year), and Alex Iwobi (Midfielder of the Year), with Osimhen also getting the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year. 
 
The Team of the Year award went to Remo Stars F.C.; Super Falcons’ former coach, Justine Madugu, won the Coach of the Year Gong, and the Sam Okwaraji Award went to Bet9ja owner, Kunle Soname, just as the Nigeria Police Force got a Special Achievement in Sports Award.
 
Other winners at the awards were NDDC (Special Achievement in Sports Award), Lagos State (State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme),  Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo (Football Pitch of the Year),  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno (Football Friendly Governor of the Year), MTN (Corporate Sponsor of Football Award) and Soname (Sportsmanship Award).