Plaudits As Linus Mba Gets Sportsville Recognition

"A well deserved honour for an honourable man," was how Tade Azeez, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), puts it when the news of veteran referee Linus Mba's nomination for the prestigious Sportsville Icon Award filtered into the news mill.

"Honestly I am glad that people like Linus Mba are been honoured for their service to fatherland. I mean honourable people in their own right. 

"I must give kudos to Sportsville for digging dip and remembering past administrators for their roles in Nigeria's sports development.

"That you remember Referee Mba today is a joy that feels my heart. Mba was one of the finest referees this country ever produced, urbane, straight forward and passionate about the game.

"Today's recognition by Sportsville is testament to his uprightness in a profession that has been wrongly vilified by many.

"This shows that the labour of our heroes past are never in vain. I want to use this opportunity to congratulate my boss, my friend and a mentor  for this well deserved honour.

"The big shoes Mr. Mba left behind in the profession will be difficult to fill," added the  immediate past vice Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association"

Chief Mba is among the four personalities to be honoured in the Icon Category of the 5th edition of Sportsville Special Recognition Awards coming up on April 3rd in Lagos.

"It feels great to be honoured by a credible organisation like Sportsville," was how Chief Mba responded when he got the letter of his nomination. 

"He continues; I want to thank Sportsville for this great honour. That my contribution to the game over the years, after ones retirement is still being celebrated today gives me joy and satisfaction. 

"I am very grateful to Sportsville and the Award Committee for finding me worthy to be nominated in the Icon Category," the soft spoken administrator added.

Other personalities to be honoured in the Icon Category are Dr. Osa Sunny Adun, the Founder of DBN,  Nigeria's first TV Sports Station, Marketing and Media guru, Rotimi Pedro, Nigeria's only individual Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah and late Chief Okoya Thomas.

This year's award ceremony comes up on April 3rd, 2025 at the Blessing Hall, EKO CLUB, Surulere Lagos under the Chairmanship of Arise TV Anchor, Oseni Rufai.