The Commissioner for Sports Development, Imo State, Hon Evarestus Obinna Onyeocha, has assured his Ministry’s willingness to partner with Nze/ Ekwueme Soccer Academy (NESA) to promote and market the academy to groom young footballers.
Onyeocha disclosed this weekend at the official unveiling of the Academy at Community Secondary School Nkwuemeke Emekuku in Owerri North LGA of Imo State.
The Commissioner, represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Media, Greg Okechukwu Nwadike, conveyed the Ministry’s appreciation to the owner of the academy.
While he encouraged them to continue to work hard to sustain and give their best to the academy, the Commissioner solicited a meeting with the owners of the academy in his office to chart a way forward.
In her address during the unveiling on behalf of Prof. Mark Anthony Nze, Oluchi Roseline Ekwueme said that she was moved by the inspiration as an ex-footballer to impact on the younger generation
Oluchi said that her family has produced 8 footballers, including her and her sister, adding that the academy will encourage both male and female players to excel in their future football career.
She said that she and Nze are co-owners of the club, adding that they are thrilled to embark on the journey of discovering, developing, and nurturing young talents (boys & girls) to their greatness in football.
She pointed out that the mission of the academy is to develop skills, foster teamwork and aim higher for opportunities to play in bigger football clubs both in Nigeria and Europe, as the case may be.
According to her, the academy has the strongest target of producing players that will represent the country at every category on the global stage.
Oluchi Ekwueme enumerated some of their programs for the club to include holding seminars/workshops to keep the young talents abreast with current technical, tactical knowledge of the game, organising training and matches, among others.
Describing football as a global game that has the capacity to foster peace and unity among communities, states and nations, the ex-footballer solicited support and collaboration with people and the community in order to achieve success.
In his remark, the Manager and Director of the academy, Ekejiuba Michael Nkwopara, while expressing joy for the unveiling, identified lack of support as their major challenge
He pointed out that Nze has been the one showcasing the financial burden of the academy before the co-owner, Oluchi Ekwueme, joined him.
He made a passionate appeal for support from both the goverment, organisations and individuals to move the academy forward.
Nkwopara recalled that the academy had, before now, played state league, NNL and NLO while expressing hope to engage in such competition in future.
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