The
newly elected Anambra State Football Association under the leadership of
Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has unveiled a blueprint towards fast-tracking
the transformation of the game in the state. Amongst the programmes
which are aimed to revolutionize football in Anambra state is the highly
anticipated “Football Made in Anambra” which seeks to foster grassroots
football.
This competition, which will involve participants from over 50,000 families in Anambra state and in Diaspora, will set out to discover young and budding talents whose talents will be harnessed by the best hands in the country in an academy to be set up by the association. "1 family-1 footballer" which is the theme of the programme aims to identify and develop one footballer from every family in a fiesta that will be hosted in every community for a period of two weeks with lots of giveaway prizes including over 50,000 branded footballs and jerseys for participants and their families. The programme is billed to attract legends from within and outside the shores of Nigeria as the association looks to completely change the face of football in Anambra state.
The
executive committee also thanked the State Government and the entire
football stakeholders for the confidence reposed on it to champion the
course of repositioning football in the state.
This competition, which will involve participants from over 50,000 families in Anambra state and in Diaspora, will set out to discover young and budding talents whose talents will be harnessed by the best hands in the country in an academy to be set up by the association. "1 family-1 footballer" which is the theme of the programme aims to identify and develop one footballer from every family in a fiesta that will be hosted in every community for a period of two weeks with lots of giveaway prizes including over 50,000 branded footballs and jerseys for participants and their families. The programme is billed to attract legends from within and outside the shores of Nigeria as the association looks to completely change the face of football in Anambra state.
According
to a communiqué released after the inaugural meeting of the Executive
Committee on May 14; as part of its efforts to set the pace and ensure
speedy growth of grassroots football in the state, the committee
resolved to introduce series of programmes which includes ‘Football Made
in Anambra’, 'Anambra State Unity Cup' as well as focus on the training
and retraining of state football coaches, referees and administrators
by renowned instructors from across the country.
The
committee also agreed that in its bid to enhance administration as well
as the credibility of the State FA, its secretariat has to be relocated
to a more befitting edifice.
Chairman
of the association, Dr. Ubah while addressing pressmen pointed out that
the massive Games village coming up in Nnewi with over six football
pitches will be a turning point towards attaining the glory that Anambra
lost over the years. He further explained that the use of the pitches
will be split into three categories, two pitches for children between
the ages of 6 and 12, two other pitches for children/youths between the
ages of 13 and 20 and the last two pitches will be used to harness
amateur footballers. According to Dr. Ubah, all these programmes will be
complemented by a Football Academy and School which would kick off
soonest. On a lighter note, Dr. Ubah said that under his watch, Anambra
state stands a great chance of producing atleast 5 Messis and 5 Ronaldos
within the next five years. He further declared that his target is to
ensure that football tourism grows to be the biggest contributor to
Anambra State's Internally Generated Revenue. In a show of appreciation,
Dr. Ubah thanked the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie
Obiano for his promise and determination to support the association and
its programmes aimed at revolutionising football in the state. “A
journey of a million miles starts with one step and that visionary step
we have taken", Dr. Ubah said.
According
to the document, various committees will be constituted for the smooth
running of the FA to ensure the realization of an all-inclusive
administration and vision of the Dr. Ubah-led administration. The
committees which will be headed by members of the executive committee
include Technical, Media and Publicity, Match Appointment, Organising,
Disciplinary, Security, Finance and Restructuring committees. Members of
these committees will be announced at the joint meeting of the State
Executive Committee and the local football councils on Sunday, May 22
in Awka. The association also decided that in line with its efforts and
good intents, a Reconciliation Committee comprising of Rev'd Father
Obinna Dike (Chairman), Chief Charles Onyeka (Vice Chairman), Rev'd
Father Azudiugwu (Secretary), Chief Martin Nwosisi and Mrs Nkiru
Igwenagu will be reconstituted, to unite the state’s football family, with specific mandate to reach out to all aggrieved members of the family in the state.
The
communiqué also revealed that there would be a World Press Conference
and Facility Tour of the Games Village in the next couple of weeks which
would be used to unveil the detailed blueprint of the association. It
also noted that the modalities for its flagship programme 'Football Made
in Anambra' would also be unveiled during this press conference.
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