AGAIN, the criteria for choosing recipients of the yearly national awards have become an issue following the latest edition of the revered event, which held in Abuja during the week.On Monday President Goodluck Jonathan decorated 364 members of the Nigerian elite with awards ranging from Officer Order of the Niger (OON) to Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). But with the exception of Joseph Yobo, Peter Konyegwachie, Mariam Usman and Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, no other member of the Nigerian sports community was deemed fit to receive an award by the organisers of the event.Speaking to journalists on the issue yesterday, some stakeholders in Nigerian football said it was absurd that sportsmen that have brought honour and helped to launder the image of country are neglected when the Federal Government recognizes eminent Nigerians.According to former Super Eagles star, Mike Onyemachara, recognizing the contributions of sportsmen to the development of the country would serve in motivating others to work hard to lift the image of the country when competing in international competitions.He said: 'The awards to Joseph Yobo, Alhaji Galadima, Mariam Usman and Konyegwachie is commendable, but there are other deserving sportsmen, who should have also been so recognized.'It still baffles me that a club like Enyimba of Aba, which braved all odds to win the CAF Champions League for the first time for Nigeria after 39 years of trying, has not been appreciated by the Federal Government'.'This is a club that broke all the records in Nigerian and African football even when the conditions were not conducive for excellence. When I went through the list and there was no Enyimba or the chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu, I knew something was not right. Up till now, no other Nigerian club has matched the record set by Enyimba and I think appreciating that achievement would spur others to aspire for greatness too.'Sports lawyer, Sabinus Ikewuaku, who is also a licensed football agent, believes that honouring outstanding athletes and administrators would show that Nigeria is a country that appreciates hard work and success.According to Ikewuaku, 'while I don't have anything against the politicians and the contractors honoured by President Goodluck, it is unfortunate that out of 364 Nigerians only four sportsmen were considered good enough to merit national awards.'A lot of budding athletes would be encouraged to aim for greatness when they see how the current stars are being treated. But when all they see is neglect and lack of recognition of the past achievers, they may begin to feel that hard work does not pay.'We must correct the mistakes of the past by ensuring that honours are also accorded deserving sportsmen and institutions.
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