Henry Nwosu Endorses Elegbeleye for Pitch Awards Sportsmanship Category
Former Super Eagles star Henry Nwosu has thrown his support behind the nomination of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), for the prestigious Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category for 2023.
In a heartfelt endorsement, Nwosu, who has coached several professional league teams including Union Bank of Lagos and Gateway of Abeokuta, praised Elegbeleye as a selfless leader and technocrat. Reflecting on their past interaction, Nwosu recounted a memorable encounter from 2008 when he was the coach of the U-17 team.
“Elegbeleye saw me in Abuja and showed genuine interest in my work. At that time, I didn’t have an official car and was using taxis. Just three days later, he called me to take delivery of a car. I hadn’t asked for it, and we didn’t have any relationship beyond casual greetings,” Nwosu recalled of his interaction with the then House of Representatives member.
Nwosu, one of the Super Eagles’ most celebrated midfielders, emphasized that Elegbeleye’s contributions to sports are deserving of recognition. “He deserves to win this award and any award meant to recognize selfless contributions to sports by an individual,” Nwosu stated.
He further highlighted Elegbeleye’s integrity and support, noting that unlike others who might leverage their assistance for personal gain, Elegbeleye never imposed any demands or publicized his generosity. “He always ensured that I had a free hand and was comfortable to carry out my tasks assigned by the NFF,” Nwosu added.
The other nominees for the Sportsmanship Award category include Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen and Remo Stars Chairman Hon. Kunle Soname.
In addition to this nomination, Elegbeleye was honored as the Sports Administrator of the Year, 2023 at the Sportsville Awards in April.
The endorsement from Nwosu underscores Elegbeleye’s profound impact and dedication to Nigerian sports, making him a strong contender for the Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category.
