By Ikenna Nwokedi 

Anambra State All Stars FC will begin the defense of the All Stars Football Competition on 14th July, 2024 when the second edition of the competition bankrolled by PatrickLingo Pharmaceuticals Limited tagged Babatem Anambra State All Stars tournament kicks off.

The draw ceremony of the competition which was held on Friday, 5th July 2024 at the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) Secretariat in Awka saw twenty-one (21) All Stars Football clubs drawn into seven groups of three teams each.

Defending Champions Anambra State All Stars were drawn in Group A against Villa All Stars Awka and Obosi All Stars. Last year's fourth best team in the competition, Peace FC were drawn in Group B alongside Puma All Stars Army Barracks and Ogbaru 1 Consistency.

In other groups, Fegge All Stars, Ogbaru All Stars and Enugwu-Ukwu Old Boys will slug it out in Group C, Group D has Housing FC Onitsha, Great Stars FC Awka and Ekwulobia All Stars. Liberty FC Atani were drawn in Group E against Uncle Ralph FC Mgbakwu and Great Inland United FC Onitsha. Group F will feature Nkpor Veterans, Awka Capital Elite and Old Skuuls FC Awka with Group G housing Evergreen FC Awka, Metu Memorial FC Onitsha and Unity FC Awka.

In his address during the draw ceremony, the Sponsor, Mr. Patrick Okwuelingo informed that the essence of sponsoring the competition is to promote the growth of football in the state and ensure that the beautiful game continues to wax strong. 

Okwuelingo who was represented by veteran sports journalist, Mr. Obinna Ndema of 7FM Onitsha revealed that the winner of this year's competition will smile home with the sum of N1million while the teams that finishes in second and third place will go home with the sum of N500 thousand and N300 thousand respectively among other consolation prizes such as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and Best Behaved Team.

He also revealed that the eight teams who qualifies for the quarter finals stage will each get a set of Jerseys which they will play with for the rest of the competition, he thanked the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) under the leadership of Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi for his doggedness and vision in taking football to the next level in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the ANSFA Disciplinary Committee, Chief Uzor Epundu thanked the sponsor for bankrolling the competition and adding glamour to the annual football programme. The football administrator informed that the LOC have done a thorough job in ensuring that participants are players who are 40 years and above, he also disclosed that all rules of the game in line with FIFA and IFAB will be applied during the course of the competition while admonishing the participating teams to ensure they conform to the tenets of the game.

On his part, Austin Mkparu, a member of ANSFA Referee's Appointment Committee assured of free and fair officiating during the course of the competition. He informed that Referees who will officiate the matches are qualified physically fit referees who are tested and trusted.

Also speaking, the MOC Chairman during the maiden edition of the All Stars Football tourney, Chief Chijioke Ezenwanwe eulogized the benefactor of the competition, Patrick Okwuelingo, for his support towards the project, he confirmed that the competition has come to stay all geared towards taking football to the next level in the state.

Chief Ezenwanwe called on the participating teams to ensure they conform to the tenets of the game while also affirming that the ANSFA is credible in organizing a hitch-free competition.

The Babatem All Star Football Competition will run for a period of two months with matches to be played Saturdays and Sundays at two venues of the Awka City Stadium and Eziowelle Civic Centre football pitch.

Highpoints of the occasion was the draw ceremony proper conducted by the FA Secretary, Ralph Nweke and distribution of rules of the competition. Also present during the Draws ceremony were a member of the ANSFA board, Mrs Cordelia Akanna and a member of the ANSFA Organizing Committee and SSA to ANSFA Chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Ojukwu.