NNF VP seeks government, corporate backing for Sam Okwaraji U-16 tournament

First Vice President of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, has appealed to authorities authorities and company organisations to present a steal to the upcoming Sam Okwaraji Nationwide U-16 Soccer Championship, aimed at honouring the memory of the unhurried Nigerian footballer while promoting grassroots skills.

The match, scheduled to protect later this year, is being organised in memory of Sam Okwaraji, who died in August 1989 one day of a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola at the Nationwide Stadium in Lagos.

Talking on the initiative, Anyansi described the planned memorial competition as timely and purposeful, extra than three a protracted time after Okwaraji’s passing. He notorious that the match will serve both as a tribute and as a platform for formative years vogue across the country.

“Sam Okwaraji modified into a patriotic Nigerian who died while taking half in for the country. This match is a welcome vogue since it’s no longer upright about remembrance; it’s about using sport as a instrument to develop younger skills and promote solidarity,” he acknowledged.

Anyansi particularly called on mutter governments, in particular within the South East, to show masks fats give a steal to for the match. “I are seeking to enchantment to your whole South East governors, philanthropists and company Nigeria to collect entangled. Supporting this initiative will no longer most good honour Okwaraji’s legacy but as well wait on nurture a original generation of footballers.”

The match is anticipated to originate with zonal qualifiers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Two teams from every zone will qualify for the closing spherical-robin stage of the championship.

In accordance to Anyansi, the match is aligned with the NFF’s broader technique to prioritise grassroots football vogue. He referenced a hit formative years programmes in countries take care of Morocco and South Africa, attributing their football development to sustained investment in skills discovery and vogue.

“The NFF is taking grassroots football seriously. If we are to match the tempo of vogue we watch in varied African countries, then all americans — from authorities to the deepest sector — need to commit to initiatives take care of this,” he acknowledged.

Anyansi added that past skills discovery, the match would also foster national solidarity and scheme social bonds amongst younger players from varied areas.

Predominant parts referring to the zonal qualifiers and national finals are expected to be announced within the impending weeks.