Athletic Heat Rewards Athletes At Track ‘N’ Field Awards

The first-ever platform to appreciate the performance of Nigerian athletes at the home front was recently held in Lagos.

Organised by the Athletic Heat, the award tagged Athletic Heat Track ‘N’ Field Awards took place at the Ultima Studio, Lekki, Lagos with many dignitaries both in and outside the sport present.

According to the organisers,  a total of nine categories of awards were given out with six athletes nominated in each category,  but only six categories were contested for through an online voting process that lasted from the 16 November to 17  December, 2017.  The top three nominees with the highest votes were posted on social media and were sent a special invitation to the show.

The categories voted for were Youth Athlete of the Year (U-18), Junior Athlete of the Year (U-20), Senior Athlete of the Year, Breakout Athlete for the Year, Next rated Athlete of the Year and Coach of the Year.

In the Youth Category for female, Chiamaka Egbochinam emerged the winner as the youth female athlete of the year, Favor Odili as the 1st runner up and Asemota Marvelous as the 2nd runner up. Adegoke Enoch emerged the winner as the Youth Athlete of the Year (Male),  while Nsikark Okon and Omubo Garshon were 1st and 2nd runner ups respectively. The Youth awards were presented to the winners by Mr Isaac Odugbesan.

In the Junior athlete of the year in the female category, Udo Gabriel Joy won the highest votes to emerge the winner as the Female Junior Athlete of the year. Aniekeme  Alphonsus and Peace Nwalehia were the 1st and 2nd runner ups. Isaac Odugbesan won the male category,  while Prosper Ogonna and Itseriki Usheoritse were 1st and 2nd runner up respectively in the Junior Male Athlete of the year. The Junior awards was presented by Coach Uruemu Adu

For the Senior female athlete of the year, Ajayi Yinka had the highest number of votes making her the winner, while Glory Onome Nathaniel was the 1st runner up and Kelechi Nwanga the 2nd runner up. For the Male category, Ogho Oghene Egwero  emerged the winner, Ogierakhi Martins as 1st runner up and Sadjo Hamadjan as the 2nd runner up.

It was a lucky day for the senior athlete, Yinka Ajayi as she was able to get the highest vote again as the next rated athlete of the year,  while Isaac Odugbesan was the 1st runner up and Arowolo Emmanuel the 2nd runner up. For the break out athlete of the year category, Itsekiri Usheoritse  was the 1st runner up, Onome Nathaniel the 2nd runner up and Prosper Ogbonna emerged the winner with the highest number of votes in that category.

Also, for the coaches category, Coach Hakeem had the highest number of votes making him the Coach of the Year, while Coach George Obiano and Coach Odiri Owifri were the 1st and 2nd runner ups respectively.

Para-athletes were not left out in the awards. Lauritta Onye and Flora Ugwunwa were given awards for their outstanding performance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. They both received a special recognition award for their efforts. After receiving her award, Lauritta Onye also gave some good dance steps just like she did when she broke the world record at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“I’ve never received such an award ever since I started my athletics career, and I’m very grateful to God and to Athletic Heat for this award, ” Onye said.

A special recognition award was also given to the para heavy weight lifter, Paul Kehinde who is also a world record holder in weight lifting. The award was  for his outstanding performance in the past and present.

Special Recognition awards were given to the parents of The Athletic Heat Founders, Mr and Mrs Tunji  Adebakin, Mr and Mrs  Emmanuel Oguma and Mr and Mrs Usoro.

All winners in the six categories that were voted for all received an award of recognition while the runner ups received certificates of of recognition.

The award show was spiced up by two artists, the 2016 Project Fame winner Okiemute and the 2015 Project Fame winner Jeff Akoh, who performed live on stage.