Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu Kicks Off Nwangele Youth Football Competition In Conjunction With Heartland FC

Posted on November 17, 2020

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

One may not be guilty of sounding immodest to say that grassroots football developments are where the core values of the game of soccer are formed, particularly among the youths.

History is rite with football raw talents that were discovered at the grassroots during school football competitions or local club sides tournaments. The likes of Kanu Nwankwo, Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikel Obi, Nicholas Ukadike, Christian Chukwu, Samson Siasia, etc, had at one point or the other in their early football careers played local leagues before they were discovered and sponsored to play at much bigger clubs in Europe and United Kingdom in the 80s and 90s.

The above, however, was the driving force behind the encapsulation of a football talent hunt initiative by the egghead member representing Nwangele Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, as he launched the Capacity Cares Football Talent Hunt Initiative in conjunction with Heartland Football Club, Owerri; particularly to encourage, identify raw talents, empower and transform them into football excellence, and thereby enabling them earn decent living through professional soccer.

Sports analysts and commentators in the state have attested to the fact that, the Sunday, November 15, 2020, official opening of the football competition in Nwangele LGA was not only historical but quite unprecedented as the brand new Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, performed his first ever state function by declaring open the tournament alongside the retinue of his colourful entourage, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, coaching crew of Heartland FC and Nwangele leadership represented by the duo of His Royal Highness , Eze Godwin Ejiogu and Chief Engr. Humphrey Amara; of United Isu Progressive Federated.

The venue of the football competition was the Umuorlu field; where the youths, different support groups, men and women, children and all lovers of football in Nwangele LGA, suspended their programmes after the Sunday service as they thronged to the playground as spectators to catch a glimpse of the entertaining game between Amaigbo and Kara Na Orlu club sides. More cheering also, was the presence of Nwangele royal fathers, who were spotted on football kits to show solidarity to their various autonomous communities and to their illustrious son, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, KSC.

As the House Member saddled with the supervision of Heartland Football Club Owerri, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu through the Capacity Cares Foundation Talent Hunt Initiative entered a social contract with the State managed club side to discover and groom raw football talents in Nwangele LGA for global exports as he invited a select members of the coaching and technical crew of Heartland FC; Chief Chukwudi Ifeanyi, General Manager, Technical Director, Coach Eke Dukubo, while members of the local technical organising committee led by Chief Nicholas Ukadike and Chief Paul Duru, were also on ground to direct the players on the rules of the game.

Nwangele Youth Football Tournament, which kick-started on Sunday, November 15, 2020, with a goalless scoreline between Amaigbo and Kara Na Orlu club sides is ongoing. The frenzy of the game will keep the entire LGA engaged until the grand finale slated for December 26, 2020.

The sponsor of the football competition, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, in his avowed commitment towards grassroots football development and social empowerment, donated the sum of Three Million Naira, N3,000.000.00, for the tournament as the Billionaires’ Supporter’s Club of the Deputy Speaker led by a popular celebrity barman, Mr. Paschal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), supported the competition with the sum of Two Million Naira, N2,000.000.00.

It was gathered on good authority that, Heartland Football Club has sealed a deal to buy off a minimum of 5 players from the Capacity Cares Nwangele Youth Cup Football Tournament, who are truly confirmed raw talents for grooming into excellent professional soccer stars in the state.

The new Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, before he was hosted to a lavished dinner at the Basilica of Grace palatial country home of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, also had an audience with Nwangele traditional rulers as the interface provided him opportunity to press home the 3Rs Agenda of the Shared Prosperity Government under Senator Hope Uzodinma; while soliciting their royal supports and traditional blessings on the Governor for an inclusive people-oriented administration.

On the rich list of attendees were the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, Majority Leader of the IMHA, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, Rt. Hon. Innocent Arthur Egwim, Hon. Dele Onyemachi, Hon. Philip Ejiogu Philip, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon. Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Chief Dan Choke Ogu, SA Diaspora, Cllr Celia Hibbert, SA Entertainment , Bobby Michael, traditional Prime Minister of Dim Na Nume Isu, Chief Chinedu Ukadike Chinedu, IPU Governor Chief Engr. Celestine Opurum, Mr. F.M.Dikeukwu; among other respected community leaders from the LGA.