The Anambra State Football Association’s giant strides
towards rapid development of the game
in the state received a big boost with the donation of
N150 million by the Ifeanyi Ubah
Foundation. The fund, according to the foundation,
was part of its support to the innovative
programmes of the recently inaugurated FA board
led by Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, to place the
Anambra State on the path to football glory.
Chairman of the Foundation, Emma Ogwueleka, said
that new leadership of the State FA has
given the people of Anambra hope for bountiful
benefits from football through the wonderful
ideas and programmes it has announced, adding:
“They deserve every support we can muster
to encourage a noble course.” Some of the areas the
FA is expected to invest the funds
include the refurbishing and furnishing of its new
secretariat with state-of-art facilities. The
Football Made in Anambra project is an exceptional
initiative and we are extremely desirous of
being a part of this epoch-making event.
Anambra State FA Executive Committee announced a
novel initiative known as “Football Made
in Anambra with massive grassroots football
development as the bedrock for the realization of
the ultimate objective of which is, changing the face
of the game in the state.
“One thing that is most heartwarming about the new
executive board under the leadership of
Dr. Ubah, is that they are not thinking about football
as just entertainment, they have ideas
aimed at creating jobs for millions of unemployed
youths in the state”, Mr. Ogwueleka noted.
“We want to encourage and support their vision.
Anambra state is the home of talented
footballers and we are ready to give our support for
any project that will benefit the people. The
Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation will continue to support the
FA because we believe in their objectives
and what they stand for”, he said.
In explaining the foundation’s thoughts and
intentions, Mr. Ogwueleka stated that the
foundation was making the donation to assist the FA
in reviving the activities of the local
football councils as well as constructing befitting
offices for the councils in their respective
local governments. “This donation will also be
channeled towards the development of women
football in Anambra state as the FA seeks to kickstart
Women football League in Anambra. Top
on our desire is to support the ‘1 family-1 Footballer’
initiative which we believe is an
exceptional initiative” he said.
In appreciation for the support and vote of
confidence passed on the association by the
foundation, the Vice Chairman, Barrister J.B.C.
Obikwelu expressively thanked the foundation
for its show of solidarity, magnanimity, and extension
of goodwill. The Vice chairman noted
that the foundation was strategically positioned and
positively poised to make Anambra State
football great again. “Anambra State Football
Association is back full time, stronger and better.
We intend to leave an indelible mark in Nigeria’s
football circle. We will stop at nothing to make
sure that through football, our youths are
empowered” Obikwelu asserted. He concluded by
adding that Anambra State Government will be
grateful to the association as its leadership has
set its eyes on being the greatest contributor to the
state Internally generated revenue through
football tourism.
The association’s novel initiative “1 Family – 1
Footballer” is set to kick off soon