Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says his administration is giving priority to grassroots sports development meant to engage and provide employment to youths.
Ugwuanyi said this in an address at the finales of Nkanu Unity (Football) Cup played at the UNEC Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.
The Nkanu Unity (Football) Cup Competition, meant for the six council areas in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, was organised by Nkanu Youth Council in partnership with Kanu Nwankwu Football Academy.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Information, Chief Steve Oruruo, said that the state wanted to tap from the huge economic benefits of present day sporting activities both at national and international levels.
According to him, the state has a lot of abundant talents in sports especially football and it is only through grassroots sports competitions such as this one we can showcase it to the whole world.
“The state has produced notable sports stars that plied their sporting trade/career at international height discovered through this type of grassroots sports competition such as the Nkanu Unity (Football) Cup.
“We are continuing in the age long tradition of talent hunt and discovery as a government by supporting and fully sponsoring grassroots sports development for various sports and empowering our various sports associations to do likewise,’’ he said.
Ugwuanyi noted that introducing the highly energetic youths to sports activities would also make them channel their energies to things beneficial and gainful to them, their families and society at large.
The governor lauded the organisers as well as Kanu Nwankwu Football Academy for its plans to further groom the discovered talents at the competition to stardom.
Speaking, the President of Nkanu Youth Council, Mr Monday Ani, said that the council organised the competition as a means of uniting youths of Nkanu land.
“We also wanted to provide a platform for these youthful football talents to have the opportunity to grow and be the future Kanu Nwankwu, Victor Moses and other great names in the football world,” Ani said.
In the final match, Enugu North Local Government Area defeated Enugu South Local Government Area by 2 – 0 in a tension soaked match, which goals were scored in the 49thminute and 61stminute of the second half of the match.
The Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Onunze, who was physically elated as he dashed to the stadium, lauded the players of the council area for making him proud in the competition.
“I am happy that with the victory most of the players of the council area will be admitted to the Kanu Nwankwu Football Academy, which will help transform their fortunate in life,” Onunze said.
Highlights of the competition were the presentation of Legend of Football Award to former Green Eagles Player, Dominick Nwobodo as well as cash and medal awards to both teams.
