By Joseph Odoekwu, KSM
The National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Samuel Ikpea, has congratulated Edo State sports administrators, Desmond Enabulele and Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, on their recognition at the 2026 edition of the Sportsville Awards held at the Lagos , country club, Ikeja on Friday.
Enabulele, the Edo State Commissioner for Sports, and Erhunmwunse, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, were among 20 distinguished recipients honoured for their contributions to sports development in the 6th edition of the award series.
While Enabulele received accolades for his visionary leadership in sports administration, Erhunmwunse earned a Special Recognition Award for his pragmatic approach to football development in the state.
Reacting to the honours, Ikpea described both men as deserving recipients, commending the organisers for recognising individuals who have made tangible contributions to sports growth.
“These two gentlemen truly deserve the recognition. The organisers have done well to honour individuals who have led by example,” Ikpea said.
He noted that the steady rise of Edo State in national sporting competitions reflects the impact of sustained investment in youth development and infrastructure.
According to him, Edo has become a dominant force in grassroots and elite sports, consistently ranking among the top-performing states in national competitions.
Ikpea further highlighted the improvements in sports facilities across the state, attributing the progress to deliberate policies and strategic leadership.
“Beyond youth empowerment, there has been remarkable progress in infrastructure development. Edo State is now one of the leading states in terms of sporting facilities, and that is commendable,” he added.
The NFSC chairman also pointed to the resurgence of Bendel Insurance FC as evidence of the state’s growing sports profile. The club gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League and went on to win the Federation Cup in 2023, defeating Enugu Rangers in the final.
He expressed optimism that the club and the state’s sports sector would continue to achieve greater milestones.
In a broader message marking the Easter season, Ikpea urged Christians to embrace peace, unity, and reflection, describing the honoured administrators as examples of humility and service.
“As we celebrate Easter, we must reflect on the values of sacrifice, peace, and selfless service. These are qualities that should guide us in our daily lives,” he said.
The Sportsville Awards celebrate excellence and outstanding contributions to sports development in Nigeria, recognising individuals and institutions that have made significant impact across various sectors of the industry.
