The Chairman of Rangers International Football Club (RIFC) Foundation, Coach Ebere Amaraizu, has emphasized the importance of mental health in sports, calling on administrators to prioritize athletes’ mental, psychological, emotional, and social well-being to enhance performance and productivity.
Speaking in Owerri on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during the maiden edition of the Sports Icon Awards, organized by Silverbird Communications—owners of Wakawaka Sports Extra—Coach Amaraizu urged stakeholders to move beyond just focusing on athletes’ technical and tactical abilities.
The awards event, which took place at the City Cruz Hotel in Owerri, Imo State, recognized key figures who have contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria. Amaraizu, who is also the Lead Consultant at Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony.
He applauded the organizers and particularly praised the CEO of Silverbird Communications, Mr. Kennedy Onwunali, for initiating a platform that honors often-overlooked contributors to Nigerian sports.
The era of relying solely on technical abilities is over. Athletes and coaches need sound psychological and emotional balance to thrive,” Amaraizu said. “Mental health affects all of us. When it is prioritized, we become more productive and able to live life to the fullest.”
He highlighted the ongoing efforts by Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation in promoting mental health education, particularly within the sporting community. “We are proud of our work in mental health education, and its relevance cannot be overstated in the lives of athletes, coaches, and sports administrators,” he added.
Amaraizu also pointed to the alignment between the goals of RIFC Foundation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which emphasizes good health and well-being. He noted the strong partnership between RIFC Foundation and Cope and Live Foundation, describing self-awareness in mental health as a vital starting point for personal and professional success.
“Before becoming anything in life, you must first be a human being. Self-awareness unlocks potential and boosts performance,” he stated.
On the broader role of sports in society, Amaraizu described it as a “holistic tool” that promotes social inclusion, community resilience, gender equality, and rule of law. “Sports answereth everything,” he said. “It is governed by rules, fosters peace, and delivers socio-economic benefits.”
Award Highlights
The event also featured the presentation of awards to several deserving sports figures and contributors. Among the recipients were:
COACH DAN ANYIAM -POSTHOMOUS EVERGREEN AWARD,
DR. PATRICK EKEJI- PARTFINDER SPORTS ADMINSTRATION Award
MONIMICHELLE- MR. EBI-EGBE- ICONIC SPORTS FACILITY MANAGER Award
MR. ANDREW EKEJIUBA- SPORTS ACHIEVER AWARD
HON INNOCNET ONWUBIKO- SPORTS ACHIEVERS AWARD
CHIEF KACHI ATUFULE – SPORTS ACHIEVERS AWARD
MRS. SABINA CHIKERE – SPORTS ACHIEVERS AWARD
CHIEF P.M.C OKEKE – GRASSROOT SPORTS DEVELOPER AWARD
ELDER THEODOR TASIE-
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MR. BAHAMA OPARAANOZIE – LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
COACH NELLY ORISAKWE/HARMONY CHIDI – YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD
COMOS CHUKWUEMEKA – YOUNG SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
COPE & LIVE FOUNDATION/EBERE AMARAIZU – SPORTS FOUNDATION AWARD
MR. CHARLES DURUAKU – SPORTS ACHIEVERS AWARD
DESIRE OPARANOZIE – SPORTS ACHIEVRS AWARDDR.
Dr KACHI NWOGA – SPORTS INITIATIVE AWARD
DR. OSONDU MARTINS IBEGBU – SPORTS ACHIEVER AWARD
COACH MGBENWELU Ndidi HENRY.
GRASSROOTS DEVELOPER AWARD.
ENGINE MUSA KIDA SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
Hon OBINNA ONYEOCHA
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation was also honored for its unique multi-sport psychosocial engagement programs for athletes and coaches.
The Sports Icon Awards celebrated the enduring legacy of contributors to Nigeria’s sporting excellence and reinforced the message that true performance begins with a healthy mind.
