Dr Uyi Akpata, a nominee for the Sportsville Sports Personality of the Year Award, expressed that the recognition means a great deal and is a significant honour for him.
Dr Akpata, whose tenure as President of the Cricket Federation has undoubtedly transformed the game, made this statement during a courtesy visit from the organisers, led by Frank Ilaboya, at his office in Lekki yesterday.
He is nominated for the prestigious award due to his transformative impact on cricket in Nigeria.
“This award means so much to me; it is a motivation to do more, and I promise to continue doing my best for the development and advancement of cricket in Nigeria,” he stated.
“Last year, I received one of the Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, and now I am nominated for the most prestigious one—the Sports Personality of the Year Award. Honestly, this is a tremendous honour, and I am excited about it. It shows that people are recognising one’s performance.
“As I mentioned earlier, this award will inspire me to achieve even more. There is still so much to be done for the growth of the game.
“Our vision is clear: to make cricket as popular as possible and to encourage mass participation and followership. That is why we are taking our time to build the game holistically, from facilities to human capital development, to the empowerment of players and officials; it is an ongoing process.
“My joy is that our vision for the game is gaining significant traction and acceptance. I feel fulfilled that more and more people are engaging with the sport; it shows that the future is bright.”
Akpata’s nomination has been widely celebrated within the sports community, especially among cricket enthusiasts.
Ejiro Omonode, a cricket aficionado and Managing Director of Masters Sports International, remarked that Akpata’s selection for Sports Personality of the Year could not have come at a better time.
“This award is fitting and timely, and it is richly deserved, I must say,” Omonode reflected on Dr Akpata’s tenure as head of the Cricket Federation, concluding that Nigeria has never seen such progress in the sport.
“Nigeria’s rise in cricket does not surprise me because I know the calibre of Akpata. As a former cricket player, his passion for the game is unparalleled. When combined with his administrative skills, it results in what we are witnessing today.
“Congratulations, my brother Uyi Akpata, on this milestone achievement,” added Omonode.
Dr Uyi Akpata and the other 15 nominees will be honoured on Friday, 21st March 2025, at the prestigious Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.
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