Sports
Enyeama Emerges AIT 2010 Footballer Of The Year …Enyimba Sweeps Clubside Awards
Isreali based Super Eagles number one keeper, Vincent Enyeama last night in Port Harcourt emerged the AIT 2010 Footballer of the Year in a glamorous awards ceremony.
Enyeama, who was instrumental to Nigeria’s near respectable performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the first on African soil, beat other two nominees, Super Eagles team mates, Osaze Odemwinge, who won the awards in the inaugural edition in 2009 and Kalu Uche
Speaking shortly after receiving the awards, Enyeama said that the award was a dream come true for him.
According to him, he was not really expecting the award but dreamt of it and was grateful to all those that contributed to his performance and emergence including team mates, technical crew and backroom staff of the national team, family members and organisers of the ceremony.
Other winners in different categories include Perpetua Nkwocha, who retained her National Women Footballer of the Year title, Ahmed Musa, formerly of Kano Pillars won the National Footballer of the Year award (male) and Desire Oparanozie of the Falcons and Falconets emerge the female counterpart.
Kenneth Kumbur, the Most Valuable Player, MVP of the 2010 Shell Cup competition and a member of the National Under 17 team that failed to qualified for Rwanda 2011 beat Stanley Okoro and Ramon Azeez to the Young Player of the Year award (male) while Loveth Ayila of the Famingoes beat Ngozi Okobu and Francesca Ordega to the female category of the Young Player of the Year award (female).
Falcons Coach, Eucharia Uche won the National Coach of the Year, beating Egan Edet and Peter Dederbo, while the Super Falcons beat other National Female Youth teams to emerge National Team of the Year.
Enyimba International FC of Aba swept the stakes in the club categories, emerging the Premier League Club of the year, as well as nicking the club coach of the year in Okey Emordi and Football Administrator of the year in Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu.
In the media category, Tana Aiyejina and Godwin Enakhena won the football writer and Presenter of the year for the print and electronic media, respectively.
Tom Tom, Guinness Plc and Shell/NNPC went home with the national team sponsor, football brand and grassroots promoters of the year awards, respectively..
There was also a special post humonous award for Chief Natheniel Idowu.
The high points of the ceremony includes the presentation of the Best Africa Star at the 2010 FIFA World Cup to Ghana Black Star Asamoah Gyan and the Most Outstanding corporate Sponsor for the 210 award to Rivers State Government, received by Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi.
The well attended ceremony, soley sponsored by the Rivers State Government witnessed the presence of the cream de la cream of the sports confraternity in Nigeria and beyond, including, ex-internationals, national sports commission and Nigerians Football Federation, NFF, officials and government functionaries.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.