For the first time in the history of Nigerian football, players, administrators, sponsors and other stake holders will have something to look up to as an annual Nigerian Pitch Awards has been slated to debut on December 15th 2012 in Lagos.

The award being put together by a private concern, Matchmakers will be reminiscent of the annual Ballon d’or awards or the CAF annual awards.

Inyama

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Managing Director/chief executive officer of Matchmakers Consult International, Shina Philips said, apart from motivating the players to higher levels of performances, the Nigerian Pitch Awards “will restore the glory of not only our individual players but will honour stakeholders on and off the pitch.”

Philips further stated that having witnessed similar awards elsewhere, he was convinced that “the Nigeria Pitch Awards might not just be the tonic we need to motivate our players but would provide a competitive environment that will enhance better productivity.”

He disclosed  that the awards would be preceded by an international seminar on human trafficking in football and a charity match tagged “kick Human Trafficking out of Footbaall.”

The Nigeria Football Fed ration was represented at the event by the first vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Secretary General, Musa Amadu, chairman, technical Committee Barrister Chris Green, NNL Chairman, High Chief Emeka Inyama, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Barrister Chris Green, Paul Bassey, Deji Tinubu amongst others.

NFF scribe Musa Amadu said the football house “opted to endorse the awards based on the confidence we have on the promoters, which did well in organising a two-day NFF Players’ agent workshop in Lagos in May.”