By Grace Ekujumi, Lagos
The 10th Nigeria pitch awards promises to be grand, unique and special according to organisers.
President of Lenders Consults (formerly Matchmakers Consults), Shina Philips made this promise on Tuesday 14th of November 2023 in Lagos during a press briefing to highlight activities lined up for the 10th Edition of the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards .
Shina Philips said from the inaugural edition of the Pitch Award, the goal of the organisers was and is still to create an award platform built on integrity, credibility and transparency which means there’s no room for any manipulation or corruption.
His words: “At inception, our determination was to create an award platform built on integrity, credibility, and transparency. It’s to our credit that in the last 10 years, after 480 nominations and 160 winners, there have been no controversial award decisions.”
According to Philips, while the successes achieved by the organisers over the years has not come cheap, the huge financial constraints he said has not compromised the integrity of the Awards.
“This has come at enormous cost and sacrifice. Even in the face of a dearth of sponsors, we have remained consistent and steadfast in celebrating our football heroes.”
“We are delighted that the Nigeria Pitch Awards has come to stay and has become an integral part of our annual football calendar”, Philips said.
While highlighting some of the activities to mark the 10th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips stated that organisers’ aims to organise a symposium for all stakeholders which will aim at address the future of football in Nigeria.
According to Phillips, “Before the award ceremony, there will be a symposium which will aim to address the future of football in Nigeria. We will release details as preparations progress.
Phillips however praised the commitments of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF president, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and past Presidents of the Federation for their contributions to the successes recorded over the years.
He said: “I am also grateful to the past presidents of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and Mr Amaju Pinnick who is also a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, the NFF Director of Communications, Mr Ademola Olajire who has remained a brother, friend and supporter of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.
In his address, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire, pledged the Federation’s support in ensuring that the 2024 edition Nigeria Pitch Awards is very unique.
In his words: “The federation has been giving its support to the organisers because the awards have demonstrated high level of Integrity, Credibility, and Transparency. I must say the NFF appreciates the awards because of the three things I just mentioned, and it will continue to give its full support,”
“I believe the organisers they are already working very hard to make it special, the NFF will really support them to make it very unique”, Olajire said.
Sports editors and journalists from the 36 states of the country including the Federal capital territory, will nominate candidates for the different award categories with voting scheduled to commence on the 4th of December 2023 and end on the 12th of January 2024.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony honours and recognises footballers, officials, administrators, corporate bodies, states, and journalists who has contributed to the development of football in one way or another in a football year. The inaugural edition was held in November 2013 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
The 10th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, NPA, has been scheduled for March 2024 during the international football window.
