Chief Executive Officer of Paddysco Sports Academy, Peter Azunnaya Okereke has given reasons while he rolled out the drums to organise an award nite after 13 years of setting up the academy.
The award nite was held Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Garden Top Hotels, FESTAC Link Road Amuwo- Odofin, Lagos with many categories of awards given out to people.
Speaking on the motive behind the award, Okereke explained that after more than a decade of the outfits’ existence, they decided to honour those who have stood by them throughout the years noting that they deserve to be recognized for their belief in the academy.
” We decided to organise this award because we took cognisance of those people who have actually contributed in taking us to where we’re today. We also realized that some of these people who operate at the grassroots level are not recognized outside their immediate environment.
” It’s of great concern to us that everyday you keep on hearing about one award or the other but these people are not recognized, meanwhile, they’re the ones doing the work in the communities and so we felt that this is the time to recognize them and tell them we appreciate what they’re doing to develop sports and humanity in the communities”, he explained.
Okereke who said the award will be an annual event, identified finance as one of the greatest challenges facing the academy just as he noted that his sports management outfit that operates from FESTAC Town, Lagos have so many sections such as; Paddysco Sports Academy, player management section and scouting section amongst others.
” I must have to confess to you that finance has been the greatest problem confronting us. You know that in the clime where we live, we don’t easily get government or corporate support. More so, if you don’t have the financial muscle, you cannot provide the infrastructure that you need
” All we depend on is individual support. You have to strive and prove yourself before people will believe in what you’re doing and that’s why we’re proud that a lot of people came to identify with us because they believe in what we’re doing but I’m hopeful that very soon government and corporate organisations will come to assist us.
According to him, the academy made up of children of ages 3-16 years and 17 years for the senior team have succeeded in sending five players to Europe and two to Asia as well as participated in the U-20 trials held by Ladan Boso at the Maracana Stadium and expressed hope that something meaningful will come out of the trials.
Some of the award recipients are; Chuks Udeaja as the Man of the Year, Paul Maduakor, ( Sports Industry Supplier of the Year) , Theophilus Chinedu Nwobi ( Career Personality of the Year), Okenwa Chidi ( Recreational Sports Leader of the Year), Alhaji Dalti Umar Yusuf ( Grassroots Sports Developer of the Year) and Dr. Osondu Martins Ihegbu ( Leadership and Influencer Award) .
Others are; Mr and Mrs.George Mmadike ( Faithful Parent Partner Award) , Rotimi Atolagbe ( Ultimate Academy Parent), Damian Chibuike Nwafor ( Unwavering Parent) and Ingram Adiche Osigwe ( Media Practitioner of the year).
Also recognized are; Mrs. Ifeyinwa Lilian Ugochukwu ( Outstanding Referrals Award), Mr and Mrs Ofozoba ( Family Loyalty Award), Gabriel Oluwagbenga Aremu ( Positive Influence), Mr. Abuachi Williams (Loyal Parent Longevity) and Mrs. Ijeona Use ( Woman of the Year) amongst others.
