Pre season tourney: NFF, Owerri fans hail Ekwueme

By EPHRAIM NWOSU

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chairman, Amaju Pinnick has showered praise on former Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme for organizing the ongoing “Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select NPFL preseason tournament” holding in Enugu and Owerri.

The weeklong football fiesta is being organized by the erstwhile Polonia Warsaw player in conjunction with Polish and Danish sportswear manufacturing firms (Tico/Select).

Speaking during an exclusive telephone conversation with Newstap.com.ng on Wednesday morning, Amaju applauded the professionalism and transparency of the organizers while describing the tournament as another welcome development in Nigerian football.

“I am happy that we have ex footballers like Ifeanyi Ekwueme who have the interest of Nigerian football at heart,” began the CAF and FIFA executive member.

He continued:

“We at the NFF have been watching all that he has been doing for Nigerian football with keen interest. We are impressed and happy with his activities and may God bless him for us.

“There is no doubt that he he has by dint of dedication and hard work contributed immensely to the development of football in Nigeria.

“I want to urge him not to relent on what he is doing and keep giving back to to the society that made him who he is today.

“He should not cease to use his international connections to continue to help promote and develope our football to compete with African and European Nations.”

Speaking in the same vein, football crazy Owerri fans also eulogized the former Polonia Warsaw ace for organizing the NPFL preseason tournament in the Imo state capital and should be a sustainable decision.

According to Ndubuisi Mbonu, a resident of Amakohia, ” kudos to Ifeanyi Ekwueme for hosting this beautiful tournament in Owerri. He has been doing a lot to help develope football in the country.

” If we can have three or more of Ifeanyi Ekwueme the sky will be our limit. This is just the beginning of great things to come.”

Anayo Ibelegbu, a football enthusiast added:” I will like to give a thumb up to Ifeanyi Ekwueme for hosting this kind of entertaining football tournament for the first time here in Owerri.

“By hosting the tournament in Owerri, it gives us the opportunity to watch some other top NPFL teams.

“We are so much enjoying the display by all the clubs participating in this tournament.

” I want to see more of this to happen in Owerri because Owerri is the sport hub in Nigeria. We appreciate Ekwueme’s effort.”

Also, another fan and student of Imo state University, Owerri, Chidiebere Nsofor submitted:” A big shout out to Ekwueme for the tournament. This tournament is good for our football especially the NPFL players. There is need for the young man to be encouraged.

” He has great vision for football and I believe if the Imo state government and NFF can support his efforts wonders will happen.”