The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has endorsed the forthcoming Nigeria Pitch Awards organised by Matchmakers Consult International.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Media Officer of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ademola Olajire.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards was approved by NFA to be an annual awards programme for all areas of the pitch in Nigeria football.

The statement said that Abdullahi, who doubles as the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), said the awards were meant to reward excellence.

It said that the awards would also serve as a motivation for Nigerian footballers in the national teams and elsewhere.

“Awards are good in that they reward excellent performances by the actors and actresses of the beautiful game.

“The NSC fully endorses the plan for a Nigeria Pitch Awards as this will serve as a further incentive for our players whenever they go onto the field to represent the country.

“They will be conscious of the need to give their very best in order to qualify for nominations for the Pitch Awards,” the statement said.

It said that NFA’s General Secretary, Musa Amadu, lauded the minister for the endorsement.

The statement promised that the NFA would supervise Matchmakers Consult International to come up with a credible selection process and a ceremony that the entire sports industry would be proud of.

It noted that the Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult International, Shina Philips, said the company was working with its partners to stage a first-class awards ceremony.

It added that with the support of the NFA, the awards would exceed the expectations of football lovers on the African continent.

“This event is of high significance at this time that our country is gradually rebuilding its national teams and trying to rebuild people’s confidence in them, especially the Super Eagles.

“We believe that rewarding excellence, talent and commitment will inspire our present crop of players to commit all their efforts to making our teams great again.