Player of the Year Award: Iheanacho, two others make shortlist

The trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Joshua Obaje and Chisom Ogwuchulam has been nominated to vie for the 2016 Nigerian Player of the Year award.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Award Panel, Ikeddy Isiguzo, said 11 categories would be awarded this year as nominations were not gotten for some other categories.
Isiguzo said: “The Nigerian Sports Award is in its 5th edition and the standard is to reward excellence.
“So, we are not ready to compromise on this standard we have set over the years.
“We all know that our athletes failed to perform in major competition this year, so we have to look inward to pick 11 categories that we got nominations for.”
Isiguzo divulged that Manchester City striker, Iheanacho, will battle the Nigeria League top scorer, Obaje and Rangers FC goal merchant for the Player of the Year, while Dream Team VI handler, Samson Siasia; Rangers coach, Imama Amakpakabo; and Powerlifting coach, Are Feyisetan, will vie for the Coach of the Year crown.
Ezuruike Roland, Kehinde Paul and Innocent Nnamdi made the shortlist of the Special Sports Person of the Year (Men).
The duo of Ezuruike Roland and Kehinde Paul won gold in the 54kg & 65kg powerlifting event respectively, while Innocent Nnamdi won bronze in the 72kg powerlifting event.
For the Special Sports Person of the Year (Women), three Powerlifters – Bose Omolayo, Orji Josephine, Ejike Lucy – and two field athletes – Onye Lauretta and Ugwunwa Flora -made the shortlist.
The trio of Bose Omolayo, Orji Josephine and Ejike Lucy won gold in the 79kg, 86kg and 61kg powerlifting event respectively, while Onye Lauretta won gold in the F40 Shot Put event and Ugwunwa Flora won gold in the F53/54 Javelin Throw.
The prestigious Nigerian Sports Award is slated to hold on December 2, 2016 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.