By Alibor Andrew
Anambra State Government has finally decided to join the league of state governments in sponsoring state-owned football teams in the various levels of the Nigeria domestic leagues.
According to Complete Sports, His Excellency, Chukwuma Soludo has approved the bill for the creation of an indigenous club side owned and financed by the State Government under the supervision of the Anambra Sports Commission and the State Football Association.
Before now, Anambra State is arguably the second State in South-East Nigeria and third in the country without a state-owned football club. Anambra and Ebonyi States, both in the South-East, as well as Lagos State in the South-West, are without clubs at any cadres of the nation’s domestic football leagues.
This, however, was disclosed by Chikelue Iloenyosi, an ex-Nigeria international and current Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association that he has received executive approval for the establishment of Anambra State-owned football club.
“First of all, I want to thank His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Executive Governor of Anambra State for approving the establishment of the State’s football team which is very, very important for Anambra State” the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale defender said.
Illinois, however, paid glowing tribute to the State Government for putting in place the Awka City Stadium, which staged a few preliminary games at the recently concluded Federation Cup, saying it has provided the platform for the current fast tempo of football and sports revolution readily paving a milestone for the state.