Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel was unanimously voted the Sports Governor of the Year last Friday at the 2017 Nigerian Sports Award held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

The sixth anniversary edition of the prestigious sports awards ceremony saw Gov. Emmanuel emerging as winner of the award for the visionary changes his tenure has brought to sports development in Akwa Ibom State, resulting in the state’s infrastructural growth, vast improvements in its sports programmes and victories of its athletes in national and international competitions.

This feat is indeed a recognition of his immense contributions to sports and sports development in Nigeria.

The award aims to appreciate, honour and reward exceptional sports men and women who, through their performance on the international stage, have won laurels and brought glory to our nation as well as administrators, managers, and other stakeholders whose outstanding contributions have significantly advance the cause of sports.

Other award categories include sports Personality of the year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, and Team of the Year.

According to the Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Award panel, Mr. Kweku Tandoh,  the public had four different voting options – messaging option, twitter, manual format and voting through the award website. Voting was open to the public, from October 5 and to November 12, 2017.

Recall that since assumption of office, Gov. Emmanuel has championed the drive for sports revolution in Nigeria.

Through the efforts of the amiable sports loving Governor, Akwa Ibom has become the emerging football capital of Nigeria playing host to the National Team; the Super Eagles all through the team’s successful qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The state-owned football team; Akwa United, has over this period, been the most funded and best managed state-owned team which has seen the team emerge the winners of Nigeria FA Cup twice in 3 years.

The female team, Ibom Angels also emerged runners in the female FA Cup for the first time ever in 2017.

The Chairman of Akwa United and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports , Mr Paul Bassey, received the award on behalf of Governor Udom Emmanuel.