PITCH AWARDS: Nigeria’s Premier Football Excellence Brand Prepares for 10th Edition with Sterling Excitement

The Nigeria Pitch Awards, an annual event that recognizes and rewards excellence in Nigerian football and established in 2013, is now preparing to host its 10th edition.

The organizers of the Awards, unarguably Nigeria’s longest-running football awards brand, which made its debut in 2013 in Calabar, capital of Cross River State, said they have honoured hundreds of Nigerian footballers across 16 categories in the last decade.

The awards cover various categories, including recognizing the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, manager, and overall best male and female footballers in Nigeria. Additionally, the awards acknowledge the state with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, the Football-Friendly Governor, the Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigeria Football, the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award, and Football Journalist of the Year Awards in various media categories (Print, TV, Radio, and Online).

Mr. Shina Philips, the President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, stated in Abuja on Monday that the Nigeria Pitch Awards had been consistent as a platform for recognizing and rewarding talent, industry and patriotism among footballers and other officials.

“The awards platform has created opportunities for footballers, football administrators, managers/coaches, referees, journalists and other critical stakeholders to get recognition and honour for their talent, hardwork and commitment to the development of the beautiful game.

“Since the maiden edition in 2013, we have given out over 170 awards to deserving players and officials at award ceremonies held in Calabar, Kaduna, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.”

Philips enthused about the diligence and sincerity that have imbued the Pitch Awards with its good name over the past 10 years: “We have laid down a voting system founded on our core principles of integrity, transparency and honesty. Despite the dearth of sponsors, we have continued to weather the storm in order to sustain our commitment to the ideals and principles behind the awards.”

The 10th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards will kick off with a media parley in Lagos and Abuja on November 13th and December 6th, 2023, respectively. Voting is scheduled to begin on December 4, 2023 and will continue until January 12, 2024.

The 10th Award Ceremony will be held in March 2024. This event has been a significant fixture in Nigeria’s football scene, honoring hundreds of individuals for their contributions to the development of the sport over the past decade.