The Organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced that the 2025 edition of the event will hold just after the Super Eagles versus Zimbabwe World Cup qualifier in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, on March 25.

The 11th edition of the awards, according to the organisers, will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. According to the president of the awards, Shina Philips, in addition to the unveiling of winners for all award categories, two distinguished Nigerians would be honoured with the Special Achievement in Sports Award for their contributions to the development of sports in the country.

He said that the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, will be honoured for his contributions to the growth of sports in the country. “Uptil 2011, Dikko had served as a consultant to the sports committee of the House of Representatives, where he assisted in drafting the National Sports Commission (NSC) Bill in the National Assembly. He was also second vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) between 2014 and 2022,” he said.

Another distinguished Nigerian to be honoured at the event, Phillips said, is AIG Garba Baba Umar (Retd), who, in 2010, served in an ad-hoc capacity as Chairman of NFF Security Committee at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
“He was also Chief Detail of Team Nigeria to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. As Security Adviser to the NFF, he has been involved with security and safety arrangements at stadia all over the country during matches involving national teams and representative clubs,” he added.


Other highlights of the 11th Award Ceremony include the announcement of winners in 18 award categories. These categories are the King of the Pitch category, which will be a straight contest involving Atalanta FC sensation, Ademola Lookman, Galatasaray FC Victor Osimhen and Al-kholood FC defender, William Troost Ekong.
In the Queen of the Pitch category, Bay FC forward, Asisat Oshoala will square up against Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Atlético de Madrid Femenino forward, Rasheedat Ajibade.

In the Football Friendly Governor of the Year category, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, and Godwin Obaseki, former Edo State governor, who was in office from November 12, 2016 to November 12, 2024, will compete for the crown.

Ademola Lookman of Atalanta FC is up against Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray in the race for the Striker of the Year Award, while the battle for the Best Corporate Sponsor of Football Award will feature GTI Financial, MTN Nigeria and Bet9ja Limited.

Other categories to be decided are Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sam Okwaraji Award, Sportsmanship Award, State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, Football Pitch of the Year and Football Journalist of the Year Awards.

https://guardian.ng/sport/lookman-osimhen-boniface-to-battle-for-king-of-the-pitch-award/