ANAMBRA TO OWN STATE FOOTBALL CLUB; OZALLA FOOTBALL ACADEMY TO REPRESENT ANAMBRA IN FEDERATIONS CUP
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Anambra State Government says plans are on to float a state owned football club.
The Chairman, Anambra Sports Development Commission, Mr. Patrick Onyedum, made the revelation while speaking with journalists during the final match of the 2023 Anambra FA Cup Competition at Neros Stadium Nanka.
According to Mr. Onyedum, having a football team that will represent Anambra State at the Nigeria National Football League and other competitions is part of the manifestoes of the Governor Chukwuma Soludu led government.
“It’s been about 32 years since Rangers International Football Club became Enugu state owned club due to the creation of Anambra State in 1991.
Sports lovers and stakeholders in the state have been looking forward to Anambra floating its own football team.
The Sports Development Chairman, while commending Chief Paul Emenike for encouraging grassroots football in Anambra State, remarked that “football is best managed by private individuals and supported by government.”
Ozalla Football Academy emerged champions of the 2023 NEROS Anambra FA Cup Competion after a hard fought 1-0 win over Edel FC (formerly Nnewi Utd).
In the women’s category, also decided at the the same venue in Nanka, Awka Angels defeated defending champions, Maureen Madu Kiddies Football Club by a lone goal to lift the trophy.
Awka Angels were runners Up in the same competition in 2022.
Apart from the two million naira prize money and trophy, Ozalla FA will now represent Anambra State at the Federation Cup alongside Edel FC.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
