Nigerian sports photojournalist Kennedy Ugbodaga has been ranked sixth in Africa in the Sport Photography (Action) category at the 2026 AIPS Sport Media Awards.
The awards ceremony, held in France, saw the release of continental rankings following the longlist stage, in which Ugbodaga’s image was featured.
Kennedy Ugbodaga, professionally known as Dagashotz, is a photojournalist with an impressive CV, having covered several international competitions, including those for male and female, underage and senior teams. FIFA, CAF and UEFA-accredited, he is without a doubt a sports administrator of excellent calibre, with enviable achievements in Edo State football, cutting his teeth from grassroots development and steadily rising through the ranks.
That steady rise has now earned him continental recognition, as Kennedy Irabor Ugbodaga was ranked sixth in Africa in the Sport Photography (Action) category at the 2026 AIPS Sport Media Awards.
Ugbodaga’s recognition comes on the strength of his powerful image titled “South Africa Celebrates,” a photograph that captured a defining moment for the South Africa U20 national team who won the AFCON U20 tournament for the first time in their history.
The award-winning image, published on Platinum News in May 2025, stood out for its timing, composition, and storytelling depth — qualities that continue to define his work. The image was published on Platinum News in May 2025 after South Africa won the U-20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.)
The 2026 AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony was held in France, bringing together leading sports journalists, photographers, and media professionals from around the world. The event was the culmination of a rigorous judging process, with entries first passing through a longlist and shortlist stage before final global winners were announced.
Following the ceremony, AIPS released its continental rankings, celebrating top performers across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, a stage where Ugbodaga secured his Top 10 finish in Africa.
Organised by the International Sports Press Association, the AIPS Sport Media Awards is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in global sports journalism. Established to celebrate excellence across multiple categories including; writing, photography, video, and digital storytelling, the awards attract thousands of submissions annually from over 100 countries.
The judging process is conducted by an international panel of experts, ensuring that entries are evaluated on:
• Creativity
• Technical quality
• Storytelling impact
• Global relevance
For more details on the awards and official updates, visit: https://www.aipsawards.com/
Ranking among the Top 10 in Africa places Ugbodaga firmly among the continent’s leading sports visual storytellers. Beyond photography, he has built a strong reputation as a contributor to football development in Edo State, with a career that bridges both media and administration. He is also a board member of the Edo State Football Association and Secretary to the Benin City Youth League.