The Anambra State Government on Friday announced that the first edition of its inter-community football tournament, tagged the ‘Solution Community Shield tournament’, will begin on Oct. 8.
Teams from the 179 communities in the state would participate in the football tournament.
The tournament is co-organised by the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Anambra State Football Association, Anambra State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs and the Anambra State Association of Town Unions.
Speaking at a news conference in Awka, Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, said the tournament would be an opportunity to hunt for talents for the Solution Football Club, owned by the state.
“I want to assure you that this championship is going to be exciting as teams from different communities will compete at the local government levels and those that qualifies will play at the state level.
“The aim is to encourage the children and youths in our communities to get actively involved in sports and keep fit, as well as get the opportunity to hunt for talents for the Solution Football Club.
“It is also a way to promote peaceful coexistence among our communities which is one of the agendas of the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration,” he said.
The Chairman said winners of the first, second and third positions would go home with N2 million, N1 million and N500,000 prize money respectively with consolidation prizes for other special winners.
Also speaking, Titus Akpudo, National President, Association of Town Unions, said that communities were being mobilised to participate in the tournament.
“Without the communities, the local and state governments cannot function optimally. So, this football tournament is a way to drive unity and development in our communities.
“We are mobilising every community to participate and they are already showing interest towards a successful tournament.
“We urge communities to sponsor and encourage their youths and children to come and showcase their talents and hone their skills because many football stakeholders will be here to hunt for talents to join the state and national teams.
“We commend Gov. Soludo for this initiative,” he said.
In his remarks, Chikelue Iloenyosi, a former Nigeria international and current Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, said that the tournament would make Anambra become a football hub in Nigeria.
He said it would also serve as a platform to hunt for young talents who would make Anambra and Nigeria proud in national and international tournaments.
“Anambra has a lot of talents and we encourage them to take advantage of this tournament to showcase their talents.
“And it will also help the development of grassroots football,” he said.
