One of the notable sports figures honoured by the Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) is Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the wife of the governor of Ekiti State, who received the Trail Blazer of the Year 2024 Sheroes Award for her inspiring leadership and support of women’s empowerment in Nigeria and abroad.

The legendary football administrator Robin Apreala Angonimi, former international and Honey Badgers chairman Abdul Sule, and top coach and Edo Queens manager Moses Aduku were among the other people acknowledged at the historic occasion, which took place in Abuja.

For their outstanding achievements to the development of women’s football in Nigeria, Angonimi, the chairman of the Bayelsa Queens, and Sule, the previous chairman of Kogi Confluence, were specifically recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Bako was recognised for his extraordinary contribution as a supporter and champion of women’s football, and Aduku took home the award for the year’s best women’s coach.
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and PUMA, a well-known international kitting manufacturer, were also given Awards of Excellence by RSDF.

The brand of the year award went to PUMA. As NWFL was a beacon of women’s football excellence for its pioneering role in championing the growth and development of women’s football throughout Africa, setting a bright example of excellence and progress in the sport, in recognition of its exceptional support and dedication to advancing women’s football in Africa.

“The annual awards event was designed to recognise and encourage individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in ensuring the development of Women Football in Nigeria and beyond,” said Barrister Paul Edeh, President of the RSDF.

Club officials and players were made more aware of the issue during the event, which included a seminar period.