Nigeria National League (NNL), chairman, George Aluo and Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF) president, Paul Maduakor, were among the top dignitaries at the inaugural edition of Paddysco Sports Awards.
The awards, which was held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Garden Top Hotels, Amuwo -Odofin, Lagos, had in attendance the crème de la crème in sports in Lagos state, including the Badagry Divisional Football Association, (BDFA), chairman, Osondu Martins.
Paddysco is known for excellence and the awards didn’t disappoint in further upholding the Paddysco ideals as guests at the beautifully decorated prestigious hotel hall were treated to one sport talent show after another from the stable of the renowned sports academy.
While reacting to questions from the media, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paddysco Sports Academy, Peter Azunnaya Okereke said that the awards became imperative in other to honour and say thank you to those individuals who have been with them through ‘thick and thin’ after 13 years of the academy’s existence.
”We decided to organise this award because we took cognisance of those people who have actually contributed in taking us to where we’re today. We also realized that some of these people who operate at the grassroots level are not recognized outside their immediate environment.
” It’s of great concern to us that everyday you keep on hearing about one award or the other but these people are not recognized, meanwhile, they’re the ones doing the work in the communities and so we felt that this is the time to recognize them and tell them we appreciate what they’re doing to develop sports and humanity in the communities”, he noted.
On some of the constraints faced by the academy, Okereke singled out paucity of funds as one of the greatest challenges facing the academy.
”I must confess that finance has been the greatest problem confronting us. You know that in the clime where we live, we don’t easily get government or corporate support. More so, if you don’t have the financial muscle, you cannot provide the infrastructure that you need.
”What we depend on is individual support. You have to strive and prove yourself before people will believe in what you’re doing and that’s why we’re proud that a lot of people came to identify with us because they believe in what we’re doing but I’m optimistic that very soon government and corporate organisations will come to our aid.
According to him, the awards will be an annual event, while also adding that the academy made up of children of ages 3-16 years and 17 years for the senior team have succeeded in sending five players to Europe and two to Asia as well as participated in the U-20 trials held by Ladan Bosso at the Maracana Stadium.
Some of the award recipients are; Chuks Udeaja as the Man of the Year, Paul Maduakor, ( Sports Industry Supplier of the Year) , Theophilus Chinedu Nwobi ( Career Personality of the Year), Okenwa Chidi ( Recreational Sports Leader of the Year), Dalti Umar Yusuf ( Grassroots Sports Developer of the Year) and Osondu Martins Ihegbu ( Leadership and Influencer Award) .
Others are; Mr and Mrs.George Mmadike ( Faithful Parent Partner Award) , Rotimi Atolagbe ( Ultimate Academy Parent), Damian Chibuike Nwafor ( Unwavering Parent) and Ingram Adiche Osigwe ( Media Practitioner of the year).
Also recognized are; Ifeyinwa Lilian Ugochukwu ( Outstanding Referrals Award), Mr and Mrs Ofozoba ( Family Loyalty Award), Gabriel Oluwagbenga Aremu ( Positive Influence), Abuachi Williams (Loyal Parent Longevity) and Ijeoma Ude ( Woman of the Year) amongst others.