Andoni LGA partners role models to promote football.
Andoni LGA partners role models to promote football.
Ngo (Rivers) Nov. 5, 2023 – Former Super Eagles player, Victor Ezeji, says football can sufficiently serve humanity through employment, calling for soccer reintegration in schools and communities.
Ezeji said this at Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, during a ward-to-ward football competition, organised by Chairman of the area council, Erastus Awortu.
Ezeji was on a talent-hunt mission at the competition.
He noted that local competitions were capable of boosting opportunities for young talents to be absorbed by the mainstream football industry and urged government, communities and schools to revive the spirit of football competition.
“I was playing in a street competition just like this and I met the secretary of then Sharks FC who made me play for Sharks.
“This goes to tell us that talents abound everywhere and it will be fantastic if I’m able to see one or two players to take out from this match,” Ezeji said.
Solomon Okruket, footballer and indegene of the area, commended the council chairman for providing an opportunity for young talents and also for propagating peace and development through football.
Okruket said he was currently a free-agent after featuring in both African and Asian Leagues.
He urged football talents in the area to take advantage of available platforms to develop a career path for themselves.
Earlier, Chairman of the council, Awortu, noted that the essence of the competition was to avail youths an opportunity of benefiting from advice and encouragement by some indigenes and role models who had achieved a sustainable livelihood from football.
“Our administration has also encouraged the artisans, traders, farmers, SMEs, students and other facets within our reach.
The measure is part of efforts towards poverty and crime reduction ,” he said.
Ezeji was on a talent-hunt mission at the competition.
He noted that local competitions were capable of boosting opportunities for young talents to be absorbed by the mainstream football industry and urged government, communities and schools to revive the spirit of football competition.
“I was playing in a street competition just like this and I met the secretary of then Sharks FC who made me play for Sharks.
“This goes to tell us that talents abound everywhere and it will be fantastic if I’m able to see one or two players to take out from this match,” Ezeji said.
Solomon Okruket, footballer and indegene of the area, commended the council chairman for providing an opportunity for young talents and also for propagating peace and development through football.
Okruket said he was currently a free-agent after featuring in both African and Asian Leagues.
He urged football talents in the area to take advantage of available platforms to develop a career path for themselves.
Earlier, Chairman of the council, Awortu, noted that the essence of the competition was to avail youths an opportunity of benefiting from advice and encouragement by some indigenes and role models who had achieved a sustainable livelihood from football.
“Our administration has also encouraged the artisans, traders, farmers, SMEs, students and other facets within our reach.
The measure is part of efforts towards poverty and crime reduction ,” he said.
Our Correspondent reports that the competition, expected to last for two months, began with first match on the fixture between Ward 11 (Ataba) and Ward 7 (Dema) communities.
The match ended at 3-1, with Ward 11 (Ataba) winning against Ward 7 (Dema).
