The Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, his Gambian counterpart, Hon. Bakary Badjie, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah the C.O.O of the 13th Africa Games, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi Nigeria Football Federation First Vice-President, Africa Union Coordinator of Africa Sports Councils Mr. Hikabwa Chipande and Founder and Chairman of Remo Stars, Bet9ja Hon. Kunle Soname are to be decorated with the prestigious GOLD AWARD of the Africa Sports Management Association in recognition of their contribution to Youth Sports engagement and Sustainable Sports Development.
Others to be decorated along with H.E Adama Barrow the President of The Gambia at The Gambia Presidential Palace on the 24th of February, 2022 are Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye former Director General National Sports, Hon. Dr. Ladi Adebutu the MD/CEO of Solomon Adebutu Agro-Allied Industries Ltd Captain Matthew Ijachi, Founder of Grassroots Sports and Leadership Organization and Nigeria Football Federation Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
Speaking to Airport correspondents on arrival from Ghana enroute Banjul Professor Seun Omotayo the Vice-President (Continental) of Africa Sports Management Association and Board Member of World Association for Sports Management confirmed the Awards and said the Nigerians on the Awardees list merited the honor and recognition because of their meritorious contributions to Youth Development through Sports.
The renowned Sports Psychologist said the Nigerians on the list was not influenced by his position in the Continental and World bodies of the Association as the selection was made by an independent body. Professor Seun Omotayo is optimistic that he expects Sports Management in Nigeria to grow sustainably as the future is bright with some systemic developments and positive fallouts of the Re-categorisation of Sports as Business by the Federal Government and the passing into law of the two bills for the establishment of National Sports Commission and Federal Sports University by the National Assembly.
