FIFA PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE NIGERIA TODAY FOR NFF AWARDS
An array of prominent global figures, including FIFA President GianniĀ Infantino and CAF President Ahmad, political chieftains, footballstars, renowned administrators past and present, captains of industry,Ā legends of the Nigeria game and oaks of the entertainment industry are now confirmed for the inaugural edition of the AITEO/CAF Football Awards holding at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on today.
FIFA and CAF sources confirmed toĀ thenff.comĀ on SundayĀ that Infantino and Ahmad will arrive in NigeriaĀ on MondayĀ and would be live at theĀ event venue alongside Presidents of about 20 Member Associations ofĀ FIFA.
NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, SeyiĀ Akinwunmi toldĀ thenff.comĀ that broadcast partners SuperSport andĀ Africa Independent Television (AIT) will relay the program live asĀ fromĀ 7pm.
āSuperSport and AIT will broadcast the Awards ceremony live, startingĀ fromĀ 7pm, and it will last for exactly 90 minutes ā the period of aĀ football match.ā
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State is expected alongside a number of his cabinet members, with AITEO Vice President/CEO FrancisĀ Peters and top-shots of the Sponsor company also set to add glamour to the big event.
Officials informedĀ thenff.comĀ that though Youth and Sports MinisterĀ Solomon Dalung is outside the country and unable to attend, theĀ Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Olusade Adesola will attend theĀ ceremony.
It is the first time that the nationās football āgoverning body isĀ organizing an Awards ceremony to reward and inspire the major actors and actresses in the Nigerian Football space.
Gongs will be presented to winners in Player of the Year (men), PlayerĀ of the Year (women), Coach of the Year (men), Coach of the YearĀ (women), Young Player of the Year (men), Young Player of the YearĀ (women), Team of the Season, Fairplay Award, Goal of the Season, FansĀ of the Season,
NFF Development Award and Platinum Award categories. Also, there willĀ be special recognition of a āLegends Eleven,ā a squad of outstandingĀ former Nigeria international players.
The Awards ceremony will also be attended by a large selection ofĀ Nigeria football legends, including former captains Christian Chukwu,Ā Olusegun Odegbami, Daniel Amokachi, Mutiu Adepoju, Uche Okechukwu,Ā Garba Lawal, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Joseph Yobo.
Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Members of NFFĀ Congress, officials of the Lagos State Football Association, NFFĀ partners and sponsors, former NFF Presidents, former NFF GeneralĀ Secretaries, Chairmen of NPFL clubs and members of the diplomatic corpĀ are also expected.
The Awards night comes only six-and-half weeks after the AITEO/CAFĀ Football Awards which the leading energy solution company is alsoĀ bankrolling, and NFF President Amaju Pinnick saidĀ on SundayĀ that AITEOĀ has set a high mark for corporate bodies in Nigeria to follow.
āThe NFF and the Nigerian Football family are very proud of AITEO andĀ very delighted at what the company is bringing into our football inĀ particular, and African Football in general.ā
Venue is the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotels & Suites, with cocktailsĀ slated forĀ 6pm ā 6.45pm.