It was a night of glitz and glamour as the 2026 Sportsville Special Recognition Award ceremony took centre stage at the prestigious Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, Lagos, over the weekend.
The event brought together the bigwigs of Nigerian sport, led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko. Mr Dikko scooped the prestigious Sportsville Sports Transformative Impact Award for his groundbreaking reforms in Nigerian sport.
In his acceptance speech, the elated NSC boss stated that the award was a debt that must be repaid through continued dedication to the advancement of Nigerian sport. He dedicated the honour to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the staff members of the National Sports Commission.
“This is a call to do more; it’s a debt that must be repaid with total dedication to further reforms and development in Nigerian sport. I am grateful to Sportsville for this very significant honour,” Dikko said.
Other awardees on the night included Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), who received the Sports Personality of the Year Award alongside Itiako Ikpokpo, initiator of the Niger Delta Games. The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, was presented with the Sportsville Visionary Leadership Award, while Kwame Arthur and Chuka Momah were honoured with the Sports Icon Award respectively.
Bambo Akani, the initiator of Making of Champions, bagged the Sportsville Innovative Award, as did Dr Femi Bankole-Alibay for his outstanding innovations in 5-Aside Football in Nigeria. Head of CAF’s safety and security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, and Chief Felix Akiga were honoured in the Achievers Category.
Those recognised in the Special Recognition Category were Godwin Kienka, Toyosi Oyetunji, Toyin Aluko, Ama-ebi Ebikpolade, Akin Afolarin, and Isaac Danladi. Others included Fausat Dehinde-Yekini and Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association.
Akwa Ibom State Government and Eagle Wings FC Benin City received the Best Sports Facility Award for both government and private ownership, while Brila Media Group was honoured with the Excellence in Sports Media Award.
The Chairman/CEO of Sportsville Communication Services, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, affirmed that the awards would continue to uphold their credibility, as the process of selecting awardees would not be compromised.
“The Sportsville Award has come to stay, and we have our eyes solely on those truly impacting Nigerian sport across the board,” Ilaboya stated.
Twenty eminent personalities and corporate organisations were honoured at the 2026 Sportsville Special Recognition Awards.
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