The Abia State Director of Sports, Mr Ejikeme Ikwunze (aka Mr Football) has commended the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC) for partnering the states sports council to develop the youths through sports.
Speaking to Imo Trumpeta in his office, Mr Football took time to appreciate the efforts of ASOPADEC, thanking Chief Sam Nwogu (ASOPADEC Chairman) and his members for ensuring that the Ochendu/ASOPADEC Under-15 Football Competition is moving successfully. According to the seasoned sports writer, presenter and administrator, there is a serious need for a regeneration to develop new talents in Nigeria sports. “Here in Abia we have decided to bring up this twinkle-twinkle little stars who will one day become a diamond in the sky. The Ochendu/ASOPADEC Under 15 male football competitions is the type of recipe that can help to discover and develop the younger talents that will one day take over from the established ones,” Mr Football noted. He also pointed out that the victory of Stephen Keshi with the Super Eagles at the just concluded 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations was because he, Keshi, gave opportunities to the home based players who as a saying goes “the rejected stones turned out to be the corner pillar of the house” . It would be recalled that Enugu Rangers player Sunday Mba wearing number 19 jersey for Nigeria did score that all important goal which gave Nigeria its third AFCON trophy after 19 years. Mr Football further informed that his council is at the verge of building an academy that will help to mix education and sports for proper development using the Nsulu games village as a stepping stone. In his own reaction, the secretary of the main Organizing Committee, Mr Ochea Idika revealed that the quarter finals of the Ochendu/ASOPADEC Under-15 Cup were played yesterday and that the Semi-finals and the final will be coming up in two weeks time.
Also speaking, Prince Udenze, a member of the Commission expressed his happiness over the cordial relationship existing between ASOPADEC and the Abia Sports Council especially on the efforts to develop the youths for better tomorrow.
He praised the efforts of Mr Football whom he described as a bundle of talent that can never be over-looked by any society for coming up with this youth development oriented programme adding that his Commission will always continue to assist in any programme that will help to develop our community.
