Akabo United FC hints on getting sports academy in Imo
By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The management of Akabo United Football Club, Owerri has revealed that it has plans to establish a sports academy in Imo State in the near future; as part of her long-term programme towards youth engagement and sports development in Imo State.
An expatriate and Vice President of the club, Sinervo Nicol Tiina dropped the cheering news Friday during a press conference with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo State Chapter at Akabo Primary School, in Ikeduru Local Government Area
Sinervo who is an expert in management and sports administration from Finland disclosed that her interest in engaging and assisting talented young Nigerians to develop and advance their career in football, attracted her to Akabo United FC.
Her words, “My involvement started through a University Exchange Programme in Finland. Given my background in sports and charity, I saw an opportunity to help build something meaningful here.
“I’m not just here to coach, I’m also here to change lives. These boys have great potential, and I believe they can make it on the international scene.”
She disclosed that the players have continued to impress her with their performance and growth of the club since she joined them in 2022, describing them as energetic and intelligent.
The expatriate hinted that part of her mission is to groom the players to professional soccer stars that would be sought after in the global soccer market.
Sinervo used the occasion to solicit support for the club from both government, corporate organizations and wealthy individuals to enable it achieve the dream of becoming one of the greatest football clubs in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the Head Coach and proprietor of Akabo United FC, Darlington Onyedikachi Arikaibe revealed that the club was founded in 2018 and has been growing from strength to strength despite numerous challenges.
He explained that the club has, over the years, been participating in several outings in Abuja and other states noting that the vision of the club’s management is to identify, train and export talented young people to become professional soccer stars.
Arikaibe identified dearth of funds as one the club’s major challenge and urged interested individuals and corporate brands to invest in the club.
“It’s tough getting our boys to scouting events due to transportation costs. For instance, getting a bus from Akabo to Abuja isn’t cheap. Sometimes, we can only afford to send one or two players when opportunities arise,” he explained.
“We have the talent. We just need the platform. With the right support, these boys will go far. We’re not giving up.”
The head coach described the Sinervo Nicol Tiina as ‘the pilar of the club’ who has used her connections and in the football industry to take the Imo club to several places across the country.
He further hinted that the club which was founded as Legacy Football Club in 2018 was renamed Akabo United FC after registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, in 2022.
