Stakeholders knock Anambra FA over poor performance

By Ifeanyi Okirika

Some football stakeholders in Anambra have described the football administration in the state as dismal and responsible for poor development and growth of the game, in spite the galaxy of talented players in the state.

The stakeholders under the aegis of “Concerned Anambra Football Enthusiasts”  said they reviewed the State of Football in Anambra in the last four years and concluded there was no significant difference in the quality of management when compared to what happened in the previous 16 years before it.

Charles Nchedo, leader of the group said the expectations of lovers of football in Anambra that administration of the game would improved was dashed with plethora failed promises which followed the assumptions of the past executive board.

They said the N150 million war chest announced  by the chairman, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah for execution of the FA programme was a scam and audio money, adding that the promise to move the FA from its present office to a new befitting Football House remained a mirage.

The group said after the election that there was no evidence that the FA distributed football to Anambra families in fulfilment of the much touted One-Family-One-Football, which they said would produce a Cristiano Ronaldo at least in every community.

They challenged the leadership of that executive board and its members most of who have purchased nomination for the July election to tell Anambra people how much they achieved in executing their Seven point agenda which was unveiled on May 3, 2020. 

“It is sad that for better part in the life of the new Anambra State, administration of football has been dismal and that is why there is no organised football programs put together by the FA apart from the annual ritual  federation cup.

“It is sad that the FA have not been able to work with Anambra government to build a FIFA standard football, despite the fact that Anambra has over four stadia where this can be built but are all moribund.

“Our concern is that a set of people have held football in Anambra hostage and most of these people have perfected their plans to return for another four years.

“That despite the number of football Internationals of Anambra extraction, successive state governments and FA Boards have paid lip services to football, it is on this backdrop that we call on men and women  with vision and ideas to join the race.

We are  indeed highly impressed with the efforts of Rev. Fr. Coach Obinna Dike and members of his team in the Anambra Independent Football League (AIFL), which provided the platform for our  teeming youths and football lovers for the past four years and still counting.

“It is indeed shameful that the seven members of the FA Board who have been there for the past sixteen years, have been found hollow and bereft of ideas to move football forward as they have failed to add values as well as generate  programmes to the growth of the sport”.

“The annual federation cup sponsored by Chief Poly Emenike, CEO Neros Pharmaceuticals is also highly commended and we call on him to sustain his support which has now lasted for about twelve years.

 “It is our informed recommendation that the incoming FA Board should interface with other stakeholders such as ex-internationals, football club owners, school football bodies and the media in order to jump start the growth of the sport in Anambra State”.

We, therefore pass a vote of no confidence on the outgone FA Board following its inglorious role in the retarded progress of football in Anambra state.