Exclusive News
BY SAB OSUJI
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has heaped plaudits on the State Football Association Chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi, over what he described as the football reawakening in the state.
The Governor spoke through his Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftancy and Community Affairs, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Anambra State Schools Sports Festival in Awka.
He noted specifically that the FA through the leadership of Iloenyi is attracting top grade national football matches in the state.
“Big time national football matches are now being played here in Awka.
“Just yesterday (Wednesday May 24) Heartland FC Owerri and Bendel Insurance played (their Federation Cup Round Of 16 match) here in Awka.
“Before that, a lot of matches are now being brought to Awka. We are keenly watching and duly appreciate the FA and its leadership under Iloenyosi”, the Governor’s representative pointed out.
Exclusivenews.com.ng reports that aside the Federation Cup Round Of 16 clash involving Heartland and Insurance, the Awka City Stadium has hosted Round of 64 matches in the male category, Round of 32 matches in the female category and will on May 26 host one of the quarter final games in the female category.
Besides, Awka City Stadium served as venue for the NLO Playoff games.
The FA has equally floated the first ever Anambra State All Stars League which kick off date is yet to be announced.
On the Anambra State Schools Sports Festival, Governor Soludo said the reintroduction of the festival was well thought out.
He noted that sports was very essential in the life of every child just as he highlighting the benefits of school sports to include improved health, fitness, academic performance and social relation, among others.
He reiterated his administration’s determination and commitment to promoting sports and sporting activities in the state, as well as propelling the overall development of the State.
He further revealed that many developmental projects are currently going on in different parts of the State, courtesy of the State Government, disclosing that the office of the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, will soon be commissioned in the State.
“Also many other foreign partners and inventors have shown interest and desire to come into the state, as a result of the multi-faceted transformation going on in the state”, he added.
Similarly, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh noted that children’s development should be complete, covering both the cognitive domain, the affective domain and the psychomotor domain, which reflects learning behaviour achieved through sports and neuromuscular motor activities.
She commended the leadership of the Sports Development Commission for their efforts in promoting sporting activities in Anambra State, which, she noted, was part of Governor Soludo’s all-round development vision for the state.
The Education Commissioner assured of her ministry’s total support to the Sports Commission’s programs.
