Sports
NO fewer than 350 players on Friday participated in the screening exercise for Anambra’s male and female football teams ahead of the Southeast Zonal eliminations for the Intermediate Games.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening exercise was declared open by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick-Agha Mba, at the Awka Township Stadium.
NAN reports that the participants comprised about 70 female players and 280 male players, aged between 16 and 19 years, drawn from senior secondary schools and sports academies across the state.
The Southeast Zonal eliminations are scheduled to hold in Umuahia, Abia, in August, while the Intermediate Games will take place in Lagos later in the year.
Speaking at the event, Mba said the state government was committed to building competitive male and female football teams capable of excelling at the zonal competition and representing the Southeast with distinction at the national finals.
He attributed the preparations to the support of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, whom he commended for prioritising sports development alongside other sectors of the state’s economy.
“With the commencement of this football screening exercise for the zonal eliminations in Umuahia, we have officially begun preparations for the Intermediate Games in Lagos.
“This has been made possible by the governor, who is providing the political leadership needed for sports development, just as he is doing in other sectors of the state.
“We expect the coaches to select the best talents from this pool of young players so that Anambra will present a formidable team at the competition,” he said.
The commissioner urged the players to remain disciplined, dedicated and committed to both their education and sporting careers.
He also expressed confidence that the state would record outstanding performances at the zonal eliminations and the national competition.
NAN reports that the event was attended by the Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, Chikelue Iloenyosi, the Director of Sports, Emeka Obidimma, and other sports officials. (NAN)
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Tags: Anambra