The Imo Football Association (FA) has urged the Imo Government to revive football tournaments in the state to foster unity and discover more talents.
The Chairman of Imo FA, Mr Ifeanyi Dike, said this during a courtesy call on the Imo Commissioner for Sports, Youths, and Social Development, Mr Emeka Okoronkwo, by the executives of the association on Monday.
Dike appealed to the Commissioner to initiate processes to restore the Imo Governor’s Cup, and the inter-school football tournament as platforms for the discovery of talents for the state’s Heartland football club.
According to him, several Heartland FC players were discovered via such football tournaments who went on to play for other clubs in Nigeria and beyond.
“Several Heartland players were discovered through the Governor’s Cup and Inter-school tournaments while as secondary school students and undergraduates, who went on to play for other clubs in Nigeria and beyond.
“ I want to appeal to you to look for a means to revive these tournaments.
“I want to assure you that these tournaments will help to unite our people because as you know, only football unites Nigerians irrespective of our cultural, religious, and ethnic differences.
“ I can tell you for free that these are cheap avenues for football managers to discover fresh talents and export from Imo”, Dike said.
Dike further called for partnerships between the FA, the Ministry of Sports and the government and appealed for a bus to convey referees especially during premier league matches.
Speaking, Okoronkwo commended the FA board executives for the familiarization visit even as he congratulated them on their election.
Okoronkwo thanked the board members for what he described as soft landing when he resumed as Commissioner adding that they assisted to ensure that the recruitment of Heartland players was on merit.
He also thanked the immediate past chairman of the FA and former CAF official, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, for his selfless service to the state and country, adding that he still has a lot to offer.
The commissioner pledged his readiness to work toward the promotion of sports, youths, and winning laurels for the state.
Uchegbulam, who was part of the visit, however, congratulated Okoronkwo and charged him to partner with the FA.
Other persons who were in attendance included the FA’s Vice-Chairman, Chief Sylvester Obasi as well as members, Chief Charles Nnadi; Chief Sunny Ekeocha, Mrs Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, and Mr Geoffrey Ndudi, the Secretary of the FA.
