By Pamela Eboh, Awka on January 1, 1970

Former Super Eagles and Sunderland striker, Victor Anichebe, has unveiled a long-term programme for the improvement of the level of football and other sports in his home state, Anambra.

Anichebe, who spoke at the occasion of a football competition he organised for all the communities in his local government area of Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, said that so many talents abound in the state, but lack of adequate facilities has stood as a huge impediment.

According to the ace footballer, the pitch where the finals of the competition took place at Nri Boys High School field was nothing close to playgrounds in the UK, adding that with such low quality facility, it would be difficult for young ones to actualise their dreams.

He, however, vowed to provide an ideal pitch soon for them as a way of encouraging future footballers in the zone.

Anichebe hinted that apart from promoting football in the area, he is also working towards investing in all other sports including female football.

In achieving his dreams, Anichebe said he hopes to partner with Anambra State government to provide synthetic pitches in schools in the state, saying the competition which kicked off this year will be a yearly affair.

In his words, “There are lots of talents here but the environment cannot help to develop their talents. I think it is important to support the youth because I am where I am because of the support of some other people. Therefore, it is necessary for me and other people that played the game as well as the government to give the youth the necessary lift.

“I plan to partner with the state government to do more things like this competition we just held as it can be used to showcase the talents of these young ones across the world.

“The quality of play is good, but it could be better, though the pitch is not the best and hopefully with the collaboration of the government I can help bring better pitches to my state.

“I intend to put a synthetic pitch which serves in all weather here and that is the way forward for youth football in Nigeria.

“If we want to be a strong nation in youth football, we can’t continue to play on pitches like this. In England, we have parks that have great pitches.

“These youths need better facilities and that is what government should do for them in addition to what we are doing.

“I will also get my colleagues in the sporting world who are from the state to partner in the scheme; that way we can fish out young talents who will end up playing better than me, Mikel Obi, Okocha and others.

“It is not my dream for talents to end up being like me or imitating me, I like originality, hence I want young talents that will end up playing better than me and in so doing, carve out a niche for themselves.”

Anichebe further urged the Anambra State Government to bolster school age sports through greater collaboration between the ministries of sports and education.

The competition ended with Black Stone Boys of Nri defeating Ogene FC of Obeledu 1-0 to win the trophy with a cash prize of N500,000. The runners-up got N300,000, while the Dynamic FC of Aguluzigbo beat Enugu-Ukwu boys 5-4 on penalties in the third place match to get N200,000. The latter went home with a consolation prize of N100,000.

•Photo shows captain of Nri Boys receiving the trophy. Photo: Pamela Eboh.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 19, 2017

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