The Nigeria Pitch Awards are awards presented to Nigerian former and present sports people, administrators and journalists in recognition of their positive contributions to sports in Nigeria. Initiated by Matchmakers Consult International Limited and approved by the Nigeria Football Federation, the first Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on November 16, 2013 in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
2013 – 1st Nigeria Pitch Awards2015 – 2nd Nigeria Pitch Awards2016 – 3rd Nigeria Pitch AwardsThe award was initiated with 16 categories until March 10, 2016 when 6 categories were added. The following are the current categories:
The first edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards was held on November 16, 2013 at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State with notable sports and government personalities in attendance.
Goalkeeper of the Year – Vincent EnyeamaDefender of the Year – Godfrey OboabonaMidfielder of the Year – Mikel ObiStriker of the Year – Emmanuel EmenikeCaoch of the Year – Stephen KeshiManager of the Year – Felix Anyansi-AgwuClub of the Year – Kano Pillars F.C.Referee of the Year – Jelili OgunmuyiwaPlayers' Agent of the Year – John Olatunji ShittuState with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme – Lagos StateFootball Journalist of the Year (Print) – Ade OjeikereFootball Journalist of the Year (Radio) – Bimbo AdeolaFootball Journalist of the Year (TV) – Toyin IbitoyeFootball Achievement Awards – Aminu Maigari, Musa Amadu and Chris GreenSpecial Recognition Awards – Jay-Jay Okocha, Rafiu Ladipo, Gideon Akinsola and Paul BasseyThe 2nd Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on June 13, 2015 in Abuja following a change in the schedule which was originally slated to hold on May 6, 2015 in Lagos. The ceremony saw Vincent Enyeama, Toyin Ibitoye, Bimbo Adeola and Felix Anyansi-Agwu retain Goalkeeper of the Year, Football Journalist of the Year (TV), Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) and Manager of the Year awards.
Goalkeeper of the Year – Vincent EnyeamaDefender of the Year – Kenneth OmeruoMidfielder of the Year – Ogenyi OnaziStriker of the Year – Ahmed MusaReferee of the Year – Ferdinand UdohClub of the Year – Kano Pillars F.C.Coach of the Year – Okey EmordiManager of the Year – Felix Anyansi-AgwuFootball Friendly Governor of the Year – Liyel ImokeState with the Best Graasroots Football Development Programme – Lagos StateFootball Journalist of the Year (Print) – Tana AiyejinaFootball Journalist of the Year (Radio) – Bimbo AdeolaFootball Journalist of the Year (TV) – Toyin IbitoyeQueen of the Pitch – Asisat OshoalaKing of the Pitch – Vincent EnyeamaThe 3rd Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on March 25, 2016 in at Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna. At the ceremony, Assisat Oshoala and Tana Aiyejina retained their awards as Queen of the Pitch and Football Journalist of the Year (Print){cite http://dailytimes.ng/ighalo-oshoala-emerge-king-queen-of-nigerian-football/). The well attended Award Ceremony was witnessed by The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalong, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, NFF 2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko and other Board Members. Also present, were Sir Mike Okiro, Chairman, Police Service Commission, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Managing Partner, SIAO Partners, Kunle Soname, Chairman, BET9JA, Super Eagles Interim Coach, Samson Siasia, Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel and all members of the Super Eagles and coaching crew.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa - Goal Keeper of the YearChinedu Udoji - Defender of the YearPaul Onobi - Midfielder of the YearOdion Ighalo - Striker of the YearGbolahan Salami - Rasheedi Yekini AwardGbolahan Salami - MVP (Men) in the NPFLNgozi Ebere - MVP (Women) in the NPFLEnyimba FC - Club of the YearU-17 Golden Eaglet - Team of the YearEmmanuel Amuneke - Coach of the YearKadiri Ikhana - Manager of the YearFerdinand Udoh _ Referee of the YearJohn Olatunji Shittu - Player’s Agent of the YearLagos State _ State with the Best Grassroots Football Development ProgrammeH.E Nyesom Wike - Football Friendly Governor of the YearTana Aiyejina _ Football Journalist of the Year – PrintGodwin Enakhena - Football Journalist of the Year –RadioAustin Okon-Akpan _ Football Journalist of the Year –TVGlobacom _ Gold-Corporate Sponsor of FootballGuinness - Silver- Corporate Sponsor of FootballSupersport - Bronze- Corporate Sponsor of FootballSegun Odegbami _ Sam Okwaraji AwardsAmaju Pinnick - Sam Okwaraji AwardsJohn Obi Mikel _ Sam Okwaraji AwardsAsisat Oshoala - Queen of the PitchOdion Ighalo - King of the PitchHE Nasir El-Rufai - Special Achievement AwardBarr. Solomon Dalong - Special Achievement AwardSir Mike Mbama Okiro - Special Achievement AwardDr Mohammed Sanusi - Special Achievement AwardSamson Siasia - Football Achievement Award 