The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, has been honoured with a prestigious award at the 3rd Edition of the Nigeria-France Sports Awards, held on Monday night at La Maison des Arts, Paris.
The colourful ceremony, which celebrated excellence, leadership, and cross-continental collaboration in sports, brought together distinguished guests, members of the Nigerian community in France, diplomats, and sports stakeholders from across Europe.
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Hon. Adeboye, in his acceptance speech, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to the “unsung heroes of Nigerian sports” — grassroots coaches, administrators, and young athletes who continue to drive the nation’s sporting progress.
“This award is not just mine; it belongs to every grassroots coach, athlete, and sports lover across Nigeria,” he said. “Their passion, sacrifice, and resilience are what make our sports story inspiring. They are the heartbeat of our nation’s sporting success.”
Adeboye also praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing youth empowerment and grassroots sports development, describing the award as a reflection of the government’s unwavering commitment to building a strong sports culture.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are building systems that discover, develop, and celebrate young talents across Nigeria. This honour strengthens my resolve to continue serving with dedication,” he added.
He extended appreciation to the Nigerian community in France for their unity and continued support, noting that their contributions abroad remain vital to the nation’s image and progress.
“Your presence here tonight is a celebration of our shared values — excellence, perseverance, and pride in our nation. Merci, thank you, and God bless Nigeria, God bless France,” Adeboye concluded to a standing ovation.
The Nigeria-France Sports Awards has become a significant platform celebrating Nigerians making an impact in global sports, bridging the gap between home-based and diaspora excellence.
