By EPHRAIM NWOSU
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme has been named Football Administrator of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area in Imo State. Ekwueme, 41, takes over from Chief J. U. Chiemenem who has opted to step aside.
Speaking at a modest but colourful ceremony at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri last weekend, a much delighted Imo FA Chairman, Amanze Uchegbulam heaped plaudits on Ekwueme, saying his generosity and philanthropy is renown in Nigeria and globally.
“We bring to you compliments from the Chairman, Executive Committee, management and staff of our Association,” Uchegbulam said during the ceremony.
He continued, “please take full control of Football in the Local Government Area and ensure there is no Lacuna. By this appointment, all Affiliates (Referees, Coaches etc) within Aboh Mbaise are under obligation to cooperate and support you in this new responsibility.
“The Imo FA and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are grateful to you for the good work you have been doing for Nigerian football particularly your act of generosity to help develope the round leather game.
“All those things you have been doing to help the growth of football in other states and across the world we want you to start doing it for us here at home. Charity as they say, begins at home.
“You are a great and worthy son of Imo state. We are proud of you and we pray that you spend many, many more years in good health and in joy. Today’s event makes me happy.”
In his response, an overwhelmed Ekwueme said he felt a sense of belonging to serve his Local Government Area and praised the work that Uchegbulam and his board have been doing to grow Imo and Nigeria football at large even in this trying times.
Said he,” I thank God for making this possible and also the Imo FA for finding me worthy to handle this position.I feel excited and honoured to be named as Aboh Mbaise LGA football administrator.
“It’s humbling and challenging and I hope to do my best to deliver and justify the confidence reposed in me. Hopefully, we are going to make the best of the opportunity to achieve good result.”
Ekwueme, a left footed midfielder during his illustrious career, started off at defunct NEPA FC, Lagos, before joining Jasper United FC of Onitsha in 1997. In 1999, he made a career breakthrough in Europe with a big move to Polish giants Polonia Warsaw.
The erstwhile Heartland FC Sporting Director made his Super Eagles debut in 2001 in a Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Benin City. There after, he was shortlisted in Nigeria’s 23-man squad that won bronze at the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Before calling time on his career, the Mbaise born football technocrat also starred for a host of top European clubs, notably in Poland and Greece, including Widzew Lodz (2002), Polonia Warsaw(2002-2003), Wisla Plock (2003-2004), Aris Saloniki (2004-2005), AS Veria (2005-2006), UNIA Janikowo (2007), Warts Pozna (2007-2008), Znicz Pruszkow (2008-2009) and LZS Piotrowka (2010) where he eventually retired.
On his retirement from active football, Ekwueme whose Emeks Sports and boutique outfit recently celebrated his 20 years anniversary in sportswears marketing across the continent veered into sports marketing and is currently Africa’s sole representative of Tiko/SELECT, a Poland and Denmark based sports manufacturing company.
