Chikelue Iloenyosi hails Soludo over football heights in Anambra

The Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the state for revitalising the sports sector in the state.

Iloenyosi in a personally signed letter with entitled; “Appreciation and Eulogy for Strategic Reform in the Anambra State Sports Sector,” further praised the Governor for merging the state’s sports development commission with the ministry of sports.

“On behalf of the Board of the Anambra State Football Association, the Local Football Council Chairmen, and the entire football and sports community in Anambra State, I extend our sincere appreciation for your bold and visionary leadership in revitalizing the sports sector in our state.

“Your decision to merge the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) with the Ministry of Youth Development, alongside the appointment of Hon. Patrick Aghamba as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, has restored coordination, clarity, and renewed hope to a sector that previously faced significant administrative challenges,” he said.

He recalled that prior to this intervention, sports in Anambra State; particularly football; was at risk of decline due to administrative inefficiencies that stifled progress.

According to him, access to public sports facilities, especially in Awka and its environs, was restricted by prohibitive costs, creating an environment that discouraged investment and hampered grassroots development.

“A clear example was Solution FC, an affiliate of the Anambra State Football Association since 2023. Despite consistent support from ANSFA, the club received little cooperation from the former Sports Development Commission, and its NNL slot was nearly lost.

“Through the intervention of the ANSFA Chairman, the slot was successfully recovered from Jos.

“Even critical stakeholders, including ANSFA, struggled to secure access to the Awka City Stadium. This restricted access weakened the growth of both professional and amateur clubs and placed Anambra at a disadvantage compared to neighboring states like Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo, where public facilities are made accessible at reasonable rates to encourage talent development and a thriving sports ecosystem.

“Your Excellency, your reforms have begun to correct these imbalances and rebuild confidence among stakeholders. By restructuring the system and placing it under purposeful leadership, you have shown a genuine commitment to youth empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable sports development,” he said.

He also commend the appointment of Hon. Patrick Aghamba, saying that his leadership is already fostering collaboration and stronger relationships with associations, clubs, and other sports bodies, creating an enabling environment for growth at all levels.

He said; “Today, there is a renewed sense of optimism within the sports community. Your actions have laid a solid foundation for a more functional, accessible, and progressive sports framework in Anambra State.

“Once again, we thank you for your courage, foresight, and unwavering commitment to advancing sports. We assure you of our full support and cooperation in bringing your vision for sports development to fruition, and we remain committed to playing our part.”