Sports Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
The Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Thursday threw his weight behind the upcoming Nigeria Pitch Awards, being organized by Matchmakers Consult International at the behest of Nigeria Football Federation.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards, which was approved by the Nigeria Football Federation as an annual awards programme for all areas of the pitch in Nigeria football, got rave reviews after a well-attended, exquisite press conference in Lagos a couple of months ago.
The inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony is scheduled for December this year.
Speaking in Abuja, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said that awards serve to reward excellence in areas of human endeavour and that the Nigeria Pitch Awards will also serve motivational purpose for Nigerian footballers in the National Teams and elsewhere.
“Awards are good in that they reward excellent performances by the actors and actresses of the beautiful game. The National Sports Commission fully endorses the plan for a Nigeria Pitch Awards, as this will serve as further incentive for our players whenever they go onto the field to represent the country. They will be conscious of the need to give their very best in order to qualify for nominations for the Pitch Awards,” stated the Minister/Chairman, NSC.
Also speaking in Abuja, NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu lauded the Honourable Minister/Chairman, NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi for the endorsement and pledged that the NFF will superintend Matchmakers Consult International to come up with a credible selection process and a ceremony that the entire sports industry will be proud of.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult International, Mr. Shina Philips, has assured that his outfit is working assiduously with the NFF and its partners to stage a first-class Awards Ceremony that will exceed the expectations of football lovers on the African continent.
“We have been meeting with key stakeholders in Nigeria football and other organizations including the world body, FIFA and the continental body, CAF. I am positive about the quality of what we want to do and the credibility of the entire process. We will certainly not take anything for granted.
“This event is of high significance at this time that our country is gradually rebuilding its National Teams and trying to rebuild people’s confidence in the teams, especially the Super Eagles. We believe that rewarding excellence, talent and commitment will inspire our present crop of players to commit all their efforts to making our teams great again.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians and friends of Nigerian football from across the universe to give us support as we prepare to celebrate our football players and football stakeholders.”