Ambode, Udom battle for Nigerian Sports Award’s Governor of the Year plaque

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

• Moses, Odey, Okpotu, Oshoala, others in race for Footballer of the year

The 2017 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award has pitched two governors, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom in a contest for the prestigious Governor of the Year award.

Last year, the position of Governor of the Year award was ignored, and organisers of the award explained that no governor deserved the award due to no sports activities at the state level. This time around, Ambode and Udom have been nominated for the award in a ceremony slated for November 17 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels, Lagos.

In race for the Footballer of the Year award (male) are Chelsea forward, Victor Moses, former MFM of Lagos top scorer, Stephen Odey and Lobi Stars of Mukurdi and current leading goals scorer in the domestic league, Anthony Okpotu.

In race for the women’s Footballer of the year are Asisat Oshoala, who emerged top scorer at the last African Women Nations Cup in Cameroun, defender Onome Ebi and Falconets star, Rasheedat Ajibade.

Nominated for the Team of the year are the two national basketball teams, D’Tigers and D’Tigress as well as Plateau United, just as Daniel Igali, Enitan Oshodi and Shehu Dikko are shortlisted for the Sports Administrator of the year.

The nominees for the Ball Sports Person of the year are Aruna Quadri, Ike Diogu and Evelyn Akhator, while the Wrestler of the year contesters are Odunyo Adekuroye, Blessing Oborodudu and Gofit Winnie.

For the Coach of the year, the nominees are Akuh Purity, Sam Vincent and Kennedy Boboye, while the Sports Woman of the year has Odunyo Adekuroye, Asisat Oshoala and Eveln Akhator. The three contenders for the Sports man of the year are Aruna Quadri, Ike Diogu and Victor Moses.

Chairman of the award panel, Dr. Kweku Tandoh promised yesterday that this year’s edition of the award would be different, just as he enjoined Nigerians to keep on voting for candidates they feel deserve to win award in the various categories.

He called on all stakeholders in Nigeria Sports as well as corporate organizations and the government to support the Nigerian Sports Award in encouraging the nation’s athletes to excel in their chosen sports.