Worried by the dwindling fortune of football talents in Imo especially in the discoveries of budding stars at grassroots football competitions as was obtainable in the 80s and 90s, football legends in the state are set to revamp the narrative.
This move was made last week by former professional footballers and ex -internationals under the auspices of Imo ‘Football Legends’ have shown interest to change the dwindling firtunes by promising to sponsor and organize Primary and Secondary schools football competitions.
Ex internationals, Casmir Mbachu and Obinna Obiako Coordinators of the group stood in for Mr. Henry Nwosu ‘MON’ who’s the Acting President disclosed in Owerri in a briefing exposed some of the activities of the organization.
According to the duo “Imo Football Legends are worried over the state of football in Imo State. Since all us cut our football teeth here we are on a mission to address it through galvanization of grassroot youths football competitions using the Primary and Secondary Schools football competitions as a launch pad.
“We are not going to depend on government, we will use our contacts and goodwill in the corporate world to attract sponsorship including high profiled individuals and so far, the responses are encouraging”they assured.
However, they expressed satisfaction to the corporation they are receiving from the State Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon Dan Ogu, the State Director of Sports, Chief Emmanuel Metu and chairman of the state Football Association, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulem among other stakeholders.
They also stated that among their social responsibilities is to ensure the good welfare packages for their members regretting that most often they are being forgotten by the society they meritoriously served during their hay days as well as offer free constructive and objective advises to the management and technical crew of the state owned, Heartland FC in the overall interest of the premiership club.
Other members of the Football Legends who were present at the briefing, Mr Kevin Owunna (Chairman, Central Working Committee) and Joseph Irechukwu (Financial Secretary) informed of their plans to commence 2 days sensitization programme starting from Friday 17th December, 2021 with a Victory Walk that will commence from Dan Anyiam Stadium to Mbaise Road and back to Whethral Road while on Saturday 18th December, 2021 by 9am they will be an intra football competition.
They noted that the intra novelty match will comprise of Team A led by Uchenna Nwaneri ‘Leftee’ and Innocent Oparanozia ‘Bazoo’ while Team B will be anchored by Tony Nwaigwe and Prince Eleazar Ogbonna ‘Alumi’.
Some of the old war horses expected to display their rare skills and artistry justifying the cliche that old woman can never be a novice in a music she is acquainted to include, Kanu ‘Papilo’ Nwankwo, Mobi Oparaku, Legendary Sylvester Oparanozia ‘Bahama’, Goddy Ogbemuche, Nicholas Ukadike, Henry Nwosu among many others.
