Oborevwori’s Sports Vision Earns Global Recognition as DSSC Chairman,Bags NUKSA Leadership Award in London

 

…Dedicates Honour to Governor, Says Award Reflects Delta’s Commitment to Sports, Youth Development

The Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Hon. Onoriode Joshua “Onos” Oborevwori, has received international recognition for his leadership and contributions to sports development, emerging as the recipient of the Sport Leadership Award at the 2026 Nigeria Universal Keystone Sport Awards (NUKSA) in London, United Kingdom.

The prestigious honour was presented at the second Nigeria Universal Keystone Sport Awards Gala, held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Ham Polo Club, Petersham Road, Richmond, London. The ceremony brought together sports personalities, government officials, business leaders, members of the Nigerian diaspora and other stakeholders from Nigeria and the international sporting community.

The award recognises Oborevwori’s contributions to sports administration, athlete welfare, grassroots talent identification and youth development, as well as efforts to create opportunities for Delta athletes to compete and excel at national and international levels.

However, in receiving the honour, Oborevwori who was represented at the event, made it clear that the recognition goes beyond his personal achievement, dedicating the award to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, whose administration, he said, has provided the political backing and support necessary for the continued development of sports in the state.

The DSSC Chairman described the award as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to using sports as an instrument of youth empowerment, talent development and social advancement.

“This award is dedicated to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, whose support and commitment to sports development have continued to provide us with the platform to succeed,” he said.

He also extended the recognition to Delta’s athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and other stakeholders whose collective efforts have sustained the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s foremost sporting states.

The international recognition comes against the backdrop of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s sustained emphasis on sports as an important component of his administration’s MORE Agenda, particularly its focus on meaningful development and opportunities for young people. The governor's official MORE Agenda identifies “Meaningful Development” as a central pillar of his administration’s development programme.

Since assuming office, Governor Oborevwori has continued to publicly emphasise the importance of sports development and the welfare of athletes. His administration has also supported the state’s participation in major sporting competitions and celebrated Delta’s outstanding performances on the national stage. In 2025, the governor highlighted Delta’s success at the National Sports Festival, where the state emerged with the highest number of gold medals.

The governor also inaugurated the current Sports Commission leadership in December 2024, with Onoriode Joshua Oborevwori as chairman, giving the commission a renewed mandate to strengthen sports administration and sustain Delta’s reputation as a leading sporting state.

That combination of political support and administrative leadership has increasingly placed Delta’s sporting programme in the national spotlight.

Under Onos Oborevwori’s leadership, the Sports Commission has placed emphasis on grassroots talent discovery, athlete welfare, sports infrastructure, school sports, youth development and creating pathways for athletes to progress from local competition to national and international platforms.

The NUKSA recognition therefore represents more than an individual award. It provides international validation for the broader sporting philosophy being pursued in Delta State under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The NUKSA gala also honoured other prominent Nigerian figures, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, while Chelsea FC Academy player Chizzy Ezenwata was recognised in the Emerging Talent category.