Lagos, Nigeria – It was a night of glitz and glamour and the atmosphere was turbo charged as the gladiators and stakeholders in the Nigerian Sports community gathered on Tuesday November 26, 2013 at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos for the second edition of the Nigerian Sports Award.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Nigerian Sports Award and the Editorial Board Chairman, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo reinstated that the main objective driving the award is to recognize and reward excellence among Nigerian athletes to motivate and spur them to greater performance.

“The main objective driving the award is to recognize and reward excellence among Nigerian athletes to motivate and spur them to greater performance” – Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder and Chelsea FC playmaker, John Mike Obi won the Sportsman of the Year award for the second consecutive time having won the maiden edition of the category last year while another Super Eagles player and Chelsea striker currently on loan at Liverpool FC, Victor Moses won the Footballer of the Year (Male) category.

The Delta State born Nigeria’s top performing athlete and double medalist at the last IAAF tournament in Moscow, Blessing Okagbare won another double on the night carting home the Sportswoman of the Year award and the Track & Field Star of the Year award.

Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi who led the Eagles to a successful outing at the last African Cup of nations and also qualified Nigeria for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil piped Manu Garba, Coach of the Golden Eaglets who won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates to win the Coach of the Year Award.

In the Sports Governor of the Year award category, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State edged his counterparts, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke to win the maiden edition of the category for his excellence in promoting and developing sports especially at the grassroots.

The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari won the Sports Administrator of the Year award category in which he was nominated alongside, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Chief Solomon Ogba and Mr. Amaju Pinnick, Chairman Delta Sports Commission.

“We seize this opportunity to call on Sports loving Corporate organisations and brands to come on board and partner with Nigerian Sports Award to take the initiative to the enviable position it deserves.” – Mr. Kayode Idowu

Greensprings School, Lekki Lagos won the School Sports category of the award in recognition of the school’s sports developmental efforts. The School established a Sports forum which promotes sports in the school through a weekend academy programme in six (6) sports including Football, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Lawn Tennis and Table Tennis. Greensprings defeated Keke High School, Agege, Lagos and Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri to win the award.

For the Ball Sports category, Portugal based Nigerian Table Tennis player, Aruna Qadri won the category beating Ike Diogu and Olumide Oyedeji to clinch the award.

The Sports Journalist of the Year award (Electronic) was won by Toyin Ibitoye of Channels Television for the broadcast category while Bunmi Ogunyale of SOCCER STAR Newspapers won the print category. The media category of the award is decided by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

In other categories, the Super Eagles of Nigeria won the Team of the Year award while the while Divine Oduduru (Athletics) won the Discovery of the Year Award.

The Victorious Golden Eaglets of Nigeria were honoured on the night with a special recognition award for winning the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates while the Nigeria’s quartet at the Sydney 2000 Olympics were also honoured with a special recognition award.

In his closing remarks, the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, organisers of the award, Mr. kayoed Idowu expressed the appreciation to the members of the award panel, the sponsors and partners and most importantly to the media for their invaluable support for the Nigerian Sports Award.