By Ndife David – Awka.
Stakeholders have continue to applaud Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) Chairman, Iloenyosi for their landmark achievements in football and other sport activities in Anambra.
They made this remarks at the final game of the Anambra State All Stars Football Competition between Anambra State All Stars Football Club Of Onitsha Vs Noble Friends FC while speaking to Journalists shortly after the final Match of 2023 Anambra State All Stars Games football tournament, organised by the State Football Association (ANSFA), held at Awka Township Stadium, on Sunday.
Anambra State Al Stars Of Onitsha defeated Nobel Friends FC Onitsha in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 1:1 draw
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the game, the Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, on his part, described the tournament as a welcome development and a step in the right direction.
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According to Hon. Ofodeme who is the member representing Ekwusigo constitiency, ” Am not surprised at Iloenyosi’s performance as the FA chairman because as an ex-footballer, am convinced that he will do well.
“I thank Governor Chukwuma Soludo who made this tournament possible. He has soo much love for youths and belives that football is an industry on its own and he is interested in hanessing talents in Anambra state, he added.
Also speaking, the National President Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Barrister Titus Akpudo also applauded Soludo for providing the enabling environment for the competition to hold. He also expressed satisfaction and the level of brotherhood displayed by the players.
Akpudo stated that football unites the people and noted that he is happy that the Anambra community shield which involves the whole communites in the state will soon commence. He went further to affirm that the Governor given the approval and there will never be a dull moment in sports in the state.
Earlier, The President of Anambra State All Stars Sports Club Onitsha, Sir Uchenna Chinedu Okpala-Ezeokoli, while expressing his happiness over his team victory called for an urgent rehabilitation of Chuba ikpeazu Stadium Onitsha to world-class standard.
He said the called was necessary due to the poor condition of the stadium at the moment, noting that Anambra State All Stars Sports Club Onitsha is the club that always represent the State in South East zonal football matches and our training field is Chuba ikpeazu Stadium. So we’re appealing to the State Government led by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to help us re-grassed and rehabilitate the entire Stadium to world-class standard, thereby creating also an avenue for Anambra youths to thrive and stimulate the economy of the State.
According to him the condition of the Stadium is nothing to write home about. We the members of Anambra State All Stars Sports Club Onitsha, which comprises of footballers that play in International and local leagues, are the ones maintaining the facility with our own money through tasking. Onitsha been one of the biggest commercial city in West Africa Region should have a befitting Stadium of it own, he said”
Ezeokoli who rated the tournament to 80/100 percent success commended Governor Soludo and ANSFA Chairman for the Initiative towards organizing the competition and urge them to continue the good work to revitalize football in Anambra.
On his part, the Manager Noble Friends FC Onitsha, Chief Emeka Chukwudebelu while commending his team for their brave performance noted that his team had earlier been written off the competition due to very poor and discouraging start from the beginning of the tournament. He said that the journey to the final started from the beginning of the tournament and also noted some major technical challenge his team face at the course of the game.
Chief Emeka while commending the governor and ANSFA chairman for striving to revive football in Anambra and the opportunity to feature in this year’s tournament equally express hope of coming back better in the next year edition of the competition. He noted that the major aim of the Anambra FA has been achieved and called on football lovers and other stakeholders to respond to the think home call and encouraged others to follow suit noting that Ndi Anambra have a duty to develop their home state especially in the sector of football.
In his brief remark, the Anambra FA chairman General Chikelue Iloenyosi, while commending the Governor and the 24 football teams that participated in the competition thank Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for supporting and making the tournament a success, noted that the next years game will be tougher and more competitive.
