Sports

By Stephen Adazi, Awka

Grassroots sports have been described as the major engine that would revive sports development in Nigeria.

Some Stakeholders in the sporting world stated this during the unveiling of Anambra State Grassroots Football Development Programmes at the Awka township stadium.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the event which is an initiative of the Chairman of Anambra Football Association, Chikelue Iloenyosi , attracted ex football internationals, sports administrators among others.

For sometime now, grassroots sporting activities have not been at it’s peak in Anambra state due to challenges including the leadership tussle over the Football Association in the state since two years.

Few weeks ago, the Nigeria Football federation brought the issues to a halt when it recognised Ex Super Eagles International , Chikelue Iloenyosi as the Chairman of the Football Association in Anambra state .

Upon assumption of office, Mr Iloenyosi began consultations and meetings with relevant sports stakeholders, while expressing his desire to turnaround the football sector in the area.

To match words with action, the FA boss decided to unveil the Grassroots Development for football aimed at discovering talents that are inherent in the twenty one local government area of the state.

Iloenyosi said his vision is to harness talents that will contribute towards the overall development of football in Anambra, Nigeria and the world at large.

The Ex super Eagles International said the FA will partner the state Sports Commission with a view to discovering raw talents in the primary and secondary Schools across the state .

in an interview, a former Super Eagles International, Mobi Oparaku said grassroots sports if embraced will no doubt bring back the glory of sports in Nigeria.

Promise Nwachukwu Nigeria Under 17 player and General Manager Heartland Football club, while expressing the hope that the new NFF boss will reinvigorate Grassroots sorting activities across the country ,as no football business would survive without harnessing raw talents.

Former Green Eagles and Rangers goal keeper , Paul Obiakor described the Anambra FA initiatives as a new dimension that will keep the youths off the streets.

highpoint of the event which had about eighty football teams in attendance was a novelty match between two female teams Awka Angels beating GP World.