One of Nigeria’s greatest athletes of the modern era, Ambassador Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has joined other major sports industry stakeholders to commend the nomination of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye as the Sports Administrator of the Year by Sportsville.
Onyali-Omagbemi, who served as Special Assistant to Elegbeleye when he was the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, said that he is deserving of the honour and should be celebrated.
Elegbeleye is the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The elegant track queen said: “To be honest, I think this is one of the most cheering news I have received in recent time. Giving honour to who honour is due is the biggest motivation to work harder.
“I have had the privilege of working with several Nigerians, both as an athlete and as an administrator, but I must say that none compares with Hon. Elegbeleye.
“Here is a man with so much passion, vision matched with action. A man with focus and a goal-getter.
“In my days as his SA, he brought a different vibe to sports administration, but frequent changes in our sports deprived Nigerians from seeing the fruits of what he planted at that time.
“So, I am not surprised to see what he is presently doing with the Nigerian League. Within a year, see the turnaround the league has witnessed. Are you not happy that today, our football league, which has been in the doldrum, is now receiving accolades here and there?
“That’s how to see a man of vision. His work rate is optimal, and he means well too. What I want to say here is that Nigerians are yet to see the best of Hon, Elegbeleye, mark my words”.
Onyali-Omagbemi, whose exploits in track and field remain evergreen, also heaped praises on the immediate past Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, for scouting for competence to drive the 10-year Football Master Plan he initiated.
“Praises must go to Chief Dare for getting Elegbeleye for this role. Dare wanted someone with passion for the Football Master Plan and once he got the profile of Elegbeleye, he knew he got a perfect fit”, she said.
Elegbeleye, who prefers to see his works speak for him, is grateful that Nigerians are appreciating what he and his team are doing to change the narratives in the NPFL.
“I am happy that positive changes are beginning to happen to the league. My team and I are determined and focused to see our league rated among the world’s best.
“We are not there yet, but the signs are positive that we will get there sooner than expected”, the soft-spoken second Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation added.
Elegbeleye is also full of praises for Sportsville for deeming him fit for this honour.
He said: “Recognition like this is a call to work harder. Frank, you have always stood for excellence since I know you, so I am not surprised that you are spearheading this unique awards. Kudos to you, my brother and your team.
“I will personally be there to receive the award to signal another exciting chapter in the NPFL”.
Other top dignitaries to be honoured that day are Chief Solomon Ogba, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochie, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
