Sunday Dare, Obaseki, Runsewe, Others Get Recognition At 4th Sportsville Awards—-The Immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Sen. Orji Kalu, on Friday got  awarded for their contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awardees were honoured at the fourth Sportsville Special Recognition Awards,  at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.

Other eminent sports personalities were also rewarded for their various contributions to the growth of sports in the country.

Dare got awarded as ‘Sports Administrator of the Year’, while Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo was honoured for providing a state-of-the-art sporting complex, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.

Kalu and Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), got special recognition awards respectively.

Others are Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye; Victor Ochei, former Delta commissioner for sports;  Chief Solomon Ogba, and Igoche Mark.

Also on the award list is Eddington Kuejubola, a one time coordinator of the Super Eagles; as well as  ace sports journalist and FIFA recognised World Cup attendee, Mr Kunle Solaja, who both got special recognition awards.

Sam Ochebo, President of Handball Federation, got an award for his landmark achievements in development of handball in Nigeria.

The long list of awardees also has Hajiya Zainab Saleh, for pioneering the promotion of women in Karate in Nigeria, while Mrs Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, a retired director, got recognised for her prowess in sports administration at the Federal Ministry of Sports.

Uyi Akpata, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, got  an award for championing the growth of Cricket in Nigeria, while Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Jenkins Alumona and  Chikelue Iloenyosi also got rewarded for  efforts in their various fields.

Oladimeji Oshode was awarded ‘Media Officer of the Year’.

A post humous award was given to Late Sebastian Brodricks.

Speaking on the event, it’s Chairman and Head of Local Organising Committee, Segun Odegbami, said that the award has made significant development in recognising those that have made sports great in Nigeria.

“This is an opportunity today to recall bits and pieces of our history, particularly the most successful sides.

“Those that received the honours are the ones who have made significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria either in corporate organisations or individual.

“This is a good opportunity for us to recall that history, those who have performed excellently, so I am delighted to be part of this history.

“The award that I also received was a big surprise for me, though not as a footballer, or journalist, but as a chairman of the event,” he said.

In his response, Dare said that he foresees a great future for Nigerian sports given the foundation he had laid while he was the minister.

Also, Akpata said that he would continue to lay solid foundation for cricket in Nigeria.