by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Announced on Sunday 13th November, the list includes such celebrated names as John Obi Mikel, the footballer who plays midfield for Chelsea in the English Premier League.
Sometimes he does drive me to drink but no-one can ever question his enthusiasm, dedication and desire to promote table tennis in his native Nigeria and in the continent of Africa as a whole; always he is upbeat, positive and in search of new horizons.
“We are pleased to inform you that you have been nominated for Sports Journalist of the Year 2016 (print) category along with other colleagues in the Nigerian Sports Award 2016. The event will hold on the 2nd of December, 2016 at The Banquet Hall of Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from 6pm Prompt. For the judging process, you are expected to submit any three (3) works of yours published between November 2015 and November 2016. Deadline for submission is Sunday, November 27, 2016. We, therefore, say congratulations and wish you continued success,” Kayode Idowu, Secretary of the Award Panel
Formerly employed by the Guardian newspaper but now the Senior Correspondent for NationSport, Olalekan Okusan is a past winner of the Sports Business Media Award Sportswriter of the Year prize as well as in 2012, at Nigeria Media Merit Awards, being named Sports Journalist of the Year.
Additionally in 2015, Olalekan Okusan was also listed by Ynaija.com as one of the most powerful young people in sports.
The winner will be named on Friday 2nd December at a special gathering staged in the Banquet Hall of the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Official Announcement: #YNaijaPowerList: Vincent Enyeama, John Obi Mikel, Blessing Okagbare… See the most powerful young people in sports