The Head of traffic department and Sports of Fresh 105.9 FM Ibadan, Kenny Ogunmiloro gushed over his latest award nomination in the country. On Friday, the nominees for the 2021 Ballers Awards which included Kenny Ogunmiloro were made available to the press in Ikeja, Lagos.
NaijaFootballers Ballers Awards 2021
Organised by Naija Footballers, a content production brand and digital football platform founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Gbenga Salu, the Ballers Awards is an annual event which aims to honour and appreciate the exemplary achievement of Nigerian footballers in the preceding year.
In this edition, their will recognition given to media practitioners in the sporting sphere for their contributions to the growth of the game in Nigeria. For the first time, this award will be split into different categories – with print media distinct from broadcast and photography. “I just got the biggest award nomination of my career. This is huge” Kenny said.
The 2021 edition will feature 16 categories in total, compared to the 12 awards handed out in 2020. The awards for ‘Goal of the Year’ and ‘Best Local Based Player’ will make returns after their conspicuous absence in the previous edition, and for the first time there will be a ‘Fans Favourite Baller’ nod.
The nominees will be put through a rigorous examination by a crack jury, with the date for the award ceremony to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The Ballers Awards Nominees – Full List
Revelation of the Year
Anayo Iwuala (Esperance, Tunisia), Calvin Bassey (Rangers, Scotland), Monday Gift (FC Robo, Nigeria), Raphael Onyedika (Midtjylland, Denmark), Abraham Marcus (Radomiak Radom, Poland)
Ballers Awards nominees
Fans Favourite Baller
Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Italy), Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona, Spain), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Ola Aina (Torino, Italy), Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, the Netherlands), Joe Aribo (Rangers, Scotland), Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey)
Ballers Awards nominees
Goalkeeper of the Year
Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia), Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United, Nigeria)
Defender of the Year
Leon Balogun (Rangers, Scotland), William Troost Ekong (Watford, England), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielder of the Year
Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Innocent Bonke (Lorient, France)
Forward of the Year
Victor Osimhen, Anthony Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Paul Onuachu (Genk, Belgium), Kelechi Iheanacho, Umar Sadiq (Almeria, Spain)
Baller of the Year – Male
Paul Onuachu, Joe Aribo, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho
Baller of the Year – Female
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris, France), Uchenna Kanu (Tigres, Mexico), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica, Portugal)
Ballers Awards nominees
Most Promising Baller
Afolabi Yusuf, Monday Gift, Afolabi Kehinde Timothy, Ajani Waheed, Ibrahim Bala
Coach of the Year
Kenedy Boboye (Plateau United), Diepreye Telbowei (Bayelsa United), Fatai Osho, Gernot Rohr
Humanitarian of the Year
Asisat Oshoala, William Troost Ekong, Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Ahmed Musa
Ballers Awards nominees
Super Eagles Goal of the Year
Kelechi Iheanacho v Liberia (second goal); Paul Onuachi v Lesotho, Victor Osimhen v Lesotho, Leon Balogun v CAR
Best Local Based Player
Silas Nwankwo (Mjallby, Sweden), Olisa Ndah, Anayo Iwuala, Charles Atshimene (Leixoes, Portugal), Adeleke Adekunle
Ballers Awards nominees
Best TV/Vlog
Jimmie Akinsola (Supersport), Brenda Shima, (AIT), Hindsight Podcast (YouTube), Kenny Ogunmiloro (BCOS TV)
Best Print/Online
Ikenwa Nnabuogor (Score Nigeria), Shina Oludare (Goal.com), Omoniyi Feranmi (Premium Times), Ojora Babatunde (OJB Sports)
Best Sports Photography
Ayodele Ibidapo, Victor Modo, Justina Aniefiok, Christopher Onah
Primus Media City wishes all nominees good luck.