In recognition of his positive contributions to sports development in Africa, the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) has awarded its MEDAL OF HONOUR to the Director-General National Sports Commission, Chief Patrick Ekeji.
The SCSA Medal of Honour which is the second highest sports award in Africa is awarded to prominent personalities, international organizations, countries or national sports teams who have contributed positively to sports development in the African continent.
It is a jealously guarded and highly respected Award within the African sports movement.
According to the SCSA Executive Committee which recommends recipients of the award to the General Assembly of the organization, “it cannot be bought”. Receipt of the Award is purely on merit.
In Nigeria the Medal of Honour had been awarded to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the senior male national football team of Nigeria, the Super Eagles.
Apart from the recent one awarded to Chief Ekeji, only two Nigerians have been awarded the medal. They are late Chief Abraham Ordia and Dr. Awoture Eleyae, OON, former Secretary General of SCSA (1992-2005).
Chief Ekeji was awarded the SCSA Medal of Honour because of the prominent roles he has played in the development of sports in Africa.
The roles include serving as the Chairman of SCSA Technical Committee mandated to restructure the Supreme Council for sports in Africa; serving as Chairman, Africa Union Conference of Ministers of Sports (AU-CAMS) Experts Committee to draw a roadmap on the future of sports in Africa. The report of that Experts Committee is being used as a reference material on the designing of the new Architecture for African sports.
In awarding Chief Ekeji the Medal of Honour, the SCSA also took cognizance of the prominent role he played in resolving the issue of outstanding debts owed the SCSA by Nigeria from the 8th All Africa Games (COJA 2003). Chief Ekeji ensured that a greater part of that debt was defrayed in December 2012.
It was in recognition of the above roles and numerous other contributions to sports in Africa that the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa recommended to the SCSA General Assembly that Patrick Ekeji be honoured with the SCSA Medal of Honour.
The medal was presented to him at the Extra-Ordinary General Assembly of the SCSA on November 9, 2012 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.