Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has reaffirmed his commitment to sports development in Nigeria particularly having been part of the Super Eagles eventful qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and supporting Akwa United to AITEO Cup victory.
Governor Emmanuel was unanimously voted the Sports Governor of the Year at the 20017 Nigeria Sports Award held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos and attended by crème-de-la-crème of Nigeria sports and captains of industry
Represented at the event by the Chairman of Akwa United FC and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Paul Bassey, he expressed his satisfaction with the Eagles’ qualification for Russia 2018 World Cup while pledging his continued support for sports development.
“We are proud to be part of the Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and we will not relent in our effort to support sports. We are committed to empowering our youth and also use sports to support their dreams. We are delighted to recieve this award from the organisers of the Nigeria Sports Award and this will surely spur us to do more for sports in the country,” Bassey said.
Recall that since assumption of office, Gov. Emmanuel has championed the drive for sports revolution in Nigeria. Through the efforts of the sports loving Governor, Akwa Ibom has become the emerging football capital of Nigeria playing host to the National Team; the Super Eagles all through the team’s successful qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The state-owned football team; Akwa United FC has over this period been the most funded and best managed state-owned team which has seen the team emerge winners of Nigeria FA Cup twice in 3 years. The female team, Ibom Angels also emerged runners up in the female FA Cup for the first time ever in 2017.
The sixth anniversary edition of the prestigious sports awards ceremony saw Gov. Emmanuel emerging as winner of the award for the visionary changes his tenure has brought to sports development in Akwa Ibom State, resulting in the state’s growth in sports infrastructure, vast increase in its sports programmes and a significant improvement in the winning of medals by its athletes in national and international competitions. This feat is indeed recognition of his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
According to the Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Award panel, Mr. KwekuTandoh,’ the public had four different voting options – messaging option, twitter, manual format and voting through the award website. Voting was open to the public, from October 5 and to November 12, 2017.’
He said the award, aims to appreciate, honour and reward exceptional sports men and women who through their performance on the international stage, have won laurels and brought glory to our nation as well as administrators, managers, and other stakeholders whose outstanding contributions have significantly advanced the cause of sports.
Other award categories include sports Personality of the year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, and Team of the Year, Journalist of the year award in Print and electronic.