Anambra FA To Revive State League – Iloenyosi
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
After more than 40 years of not having a functional state league, the Anambra Football Association is now poised to break the jinx following conclusion of arrangement to organize one in a fortnight.
Chairman of the FA, Chikeluo Iloenyosi disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the just concluded Nigeria National League (NNL), held in Asaba, the Delta State Capital.
According to him, this is being made possible by a football enthusiast, Kenneth NwaKaeze who has volunteered to sponsor the league.
Iloenyosi popularly known as ‘General’ explained that the league will hold in all the three Senatorial Zones and the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
” Right now, what we’re doing is to develop football at the grassroots in the state and make Anambra State regain it’s position as the hub of football in the country.
” Recently, we concluded the Anambra State All Stars Game which is the first of it’s kind in the country. We did this with the full support of Manfes Pharmaceutical Limited and we’re very grateful to the company for being a good partner in progress
” On the state league which has been in the doldrums for more than four decades, an individual and a lover of football who played the game at St Mary, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the State, has accepted to sponsor the championship which is hoped will keep youths busy and make them think less of crime and become meaningful citizens.
He further stated that part of arrangements to reposition football in the state is to have youth tournaments such as U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-20 to be in line with the state government’s plan of keeping the youths away from cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, restiveness and other social vices.
The FA boss also disclosed plans by the association to ensure that the state have a football team competing in the NPFL just as he appealed for corporate support to enable his board achieve all their laudable programmes.
” You’re aware that in the time past, Anambra State have teams competing in the NPFL. Such teams as Ifeanyi Uba, Udoji Utd and Gabros were owned by private individuals who are now late. But we have to support Solution FC and Edel FC for one of them to get promoted to the NPFL.
” It’s equally important for corporate organisations in the state to partner with the FA so that our football can be on the top”, he stressed.
On the just concluded NNL Super 8, he commended the leadership of George Aluo for the wonderful job he’s doing in repositioning the second tier league; saying that the number of football stakeholders that attended the tournament is a testament to the good job the league board is doing
“The NNL has gone through a lot of innovations and we must commend George Aluo for the wonderful job he’s doing. It’s equally important to commend Gbenga Elegbeleye for what he’s doing at the NPFL which has made our league attractive and we must continue on that pedestal”, he concluded.
