Ini Umotong, the former pro footballer and Nigerian international, was honoured at Birmingham Youth Sports Academy’s annual player awards.
The 31-year-old was recognised for her contributions to female football.
Born in Calabar, Nigeria, Ini moved to Birmingham aged one and began playing football at five.
She was soon scouted by Birmingham City FC, going on to play for clubs including Portsmouth United, Oxford United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Växjö DFF and Lewes.
‘Paved the way for girls and women to pursue their dreams‘
With a degree and an MBA to her name, Ini’s dedication to female football “have paved the way for countless girls and women to pursue their dreams in the sport,” said BYSA chairman Professor Paul Cadman who presented her award.
Blues CEO Jeremy Dale and Lord Mayor Ken Wood were among the 180 attendees at the event, which took place in the conferencing suites at Birmingham City FC, to honour the star performers in the BYSA’s girls, boys, women and men’s teams.
Sponsors attending the event included Safaraz Ali of Pathway Group, Imdad Hussain of IQ Coaches and Professor Gino Martini, CEO of PHTA (Precision Heath Technologies Accelerator). Hosting the event was BYSA founder Anwar Khattak BEM.
Award winners
Under 13s girls:
- Top Scorer: Fatima Elsakaan
- Clubman Award: Mehreen Khan
- Manager’s Player: Rawan Mutahar
- Most Improved: Surayah Khan
- Coaches Player: Rumaysa Hassan
Under 15s girls:
- Top Scorer: Ruqayah
- Clubman Award: Hikmah
- Manager’s Player: Mairah
- Most Improved: Sana
- Coaches Player: Summer
Under 18s women:
- Top Scorer: Saira
- Clubman Award: Hinah
- Respect Award: Saba
- Manager’s Player: Saima
- Coach’s Player: Safa
- Most Improved: Alishbah
Women’s adult team:
- Manager’s Player: Hibo Hussein
- Most Improved: Amirah Hussain
- Coach’s Player: Nimrah Amer
- Top Goal Scorer: Saima Khattak
- Clubman Award: Sadaf Bornaee
Under 14s boys:
- Top Scorer: Sahil Akhtar
- Clubman Award: Haseeb Shah
- Manager’s Player: Otmane Khayi
- Coach’s Player: Fareed Ncube
- Most Improved: Augustine Sesay
Under 18s boys:
- Clubman Award: Mohsen Aso
- Manager’s Player: Hamza Khan
- Most Improved: Abdiqani Muhammed
- Coach’s Player: Shamir Sultan
- Top Goal Scorer: Qays Hussain
Men’s Adult team:
- Clubman Award: Hassam Mohammed
- Manager’s Player: Ridwan Ali
- Most Improved: Ismail Nuur
- Coach’s Player: Haris Ullah Jan
- Top Goal Scorer: Fuseani Nartor
