With the likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, Paolo Maldini, Rio Ferdinard, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Kaka, Emmanuel Adebayo, spear heading nominations. It was an exciting battle to see who football fans will vote to receive the prestigious 15 categories at the 1st annual International Football Awards held at the Park Inn Hotel, in Russell Square on the 13th of September 2009.
Nashat Akram, a player who took Iraq to unexpected victory in the Asia Cup and united a nation split asunder by war and religious strife stole the night by being finally recognised as ‘Asian Footballer of the Year’. The player who is currently playing for FC Twente in the Netherlands and the Iraq national football team flew all the way from Holland to accept his award.
He added “I am so proud and excited to receive the Asian Footballer of the Year award. The International Football Awards is about football fans and it is great to finally have an awards show that represents football fans as they make us who we are. Look forward to coming back next year”.
Jordan Kensington, Chairman, of IFA’s & Invincible Group said “Football has brought excitement to a lot of people worldwide. People love the passion of the sport but most importantly the entertainment and attachment this one sport creates on and off pitch. Football is now and has always been the most popular sport celebrated by enthusiastic fans from almost every country in the world and the International Football Awards will become an official independent fixture in the football industry broadcasting the awards show to over millions of fans each year”.
Football fans from around the world got their chance to vote for which players they feel deserve recognition. A record 1.5 million fans from across the world nominated and commenced voting since March 2009 @ www.internationalfootballawards.com
UK’s best selling men’s nutritional supplement, Wellman sports who were official sponsors added "Vitabiotics Wellman is the UK’s number 1 vitamin supplement for men and we are proud to sponsor the International Football Awards 2009. The awards recognise and reward those who have truly reached the top of their game and delivered world class performance. The association with Wellman, and the launch of our new Wellman Sport, is fantastic” added Robert Taylor (Vice President, for Vitabiotics)
Sol Campbell & Ian Wright were honoured with an Outstanding Contribution to UK Football for their work as Ambassadors to the football game through their past football achievements and current projects including charities. Sol Campbell who picked up the award commented “Very honoured and glad to be here. Thanks very much to the IFA”.
The awards show co-produced by England football legend Tony Woodcock saw other big winners on the night included; Christiano Ronaldo was voted International Footballer of the Year whilst upcoming football talent Theo Walcott, won Young Football player of the Year, Brazilian footballer, Kaka was voted Best Forward and Sky Sports picked the award for ‘Best News Coverage’.
Winners for the 1st annual International Football Awards are:
International footballer of the year sponsored by Wellman Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal National Team
Best Manager sponsored by Kings Ferry
Fabio Capello [England National Team]
Young player of the year
Theo Walcott [Arsenal, England National Team]
Best Forward
Kaka [Brazil National Team]
Best Defender
Paolo Maldini [AC Milan]
Best Goalkeeper
Petr Čech [Chelsea, Czech Republic National Team]
African Footballer of the year
Emmanuel Adebayor [Togo National Team]
European Footballer of the year
Andriy Shevchenko [Ukraine National Team]
Best Midfielder
Frank Lampard [Chelsea, England National Team]
Best Striker
Thierry Henry
South American Footballer of the year
Ronaldino [Brazil National Team]
North, Central American Footballer of the year
Landon Donovan [, Uited States National Team]
Best Referee
Howard Webb [English Premier League]
Asian Footballer of the year
Nashat Akram (Iraq National Team)
Best Football coverage
Sky Sports
Best International team
Brazil
The International Football Awards 2010 returns start nominating from now @ www.internationalfootballawards.com
For Interview request/media accreditation/press conference enquiries:
Contact: Steve Goldsmiths
E-mail: steve@internationalfootballawards.com
Tel: 0207-078-7333
Fax: 0207-078-4884
For VIP tickets/Tables/Corporate Hospitality/Sponsorship
Contact: Andy Duncan
E-mail: andy@internationalfootballawards.com
Tel: 0207-078 7333
Fax: 0207-078-4884
Notes to Editor:
The International Football Awards is a new worldwide venture by Invincible Group established since 1999 is home of a brand of companies which includes a media, marketing and management arm connecting consumers, talent, brands and opportunities.
For More info on Invincible Group visit: www.invinciblegroup.com
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