Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey, Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala as well as legendary Nigeria international Chief Segun Odegbami were among the winners at the 2021 The Ballers Awards which was held last night.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that the fourth edition of The Ballers Awards was held on Sunday, 12 June, 2022, at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Other recipients include Joe Aribo, Zaidu Sanusi, Maduka Okoye, Ahmed Musa, Kennedy Boboye, Paul Onuachu and Anayo Iwuala.
Present at Sunday’s awards were NFF’s first Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Chief Odegbami, Group Managing Director, Complete Communications Limited, Dr. Mumini Alao and Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepekun.
Also present were renowned sport presenters Deji Omotoyinbo, Charles Anazodo, Mozez Praiz and Big Brother Naija Lockdown Housemate Ozoemena who presented one of the awards.
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In the awards categories, Osimhen won both Forward of the Year and Baller of the Year for male, Bassey got the Revelation of the Year award, Odegbami was handed the Legendary Baller award, Onuachu was awarded Super Eagles Goal of the Year and Oshoala was the recipient for both the Fans’ Favourite Baller and Female Baller of the Year awards.
The Goalkeeper of the Year went to Maduka Okoye, Sanusi was picked as the Best Defender of the Year, Aribo was awarded Midfielder of the Year, Super Eagles skipper Musa was named Humanitarian of the Year, Boboye was voted Coach of the Year, Esperance of Tunisia forward Anayo Iwuala was awarded Best Local Based Player and Ajani Waheed went home with Most Promising Baller
And in other awards categories, Akinwunmi bagged the Excellence in Leadership award and veteran journalist Kunle Solaja got the Industry Icon of the Year award.
Also, Shina Oludare of goal.com won Best Print/Online, the Best TV/VLOG was awarded to Hindsight Podcast while Justina Aniefiok won Best Sports Photography.
Representatives collected the awards for most of the winners who were not present at the event.
There were music, dance and comedy performances to entertain the guests.
Former Nigeria internationals like Joe Erico, Barnabas Imenger, Justice Christopher, Yisa Shofoluwe, who recently passed away were all remembered by the organizers of the award.
Also remembered were Complete Sports founder and Nigeria sport icon Dr. Sunny Emmanuel Ojeagbase and former NFF Technical Director Kashimawo Laloko.
Speaking after the awards, founder of Naijafootballers organizers of The Ballers Awards, Gbenga Salu, thanked everybody who made out time to be at the award.
