Ikukuoma Sports Foundation this weekend partnered Nigeria Nationwide League, NLO to stage the maiden edition of the NLO Super Cup in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The foremost foundation, led by its President, Chief Summers Nwokie took the giant step towards fulfilling the dream of hosting a major sporting event in the state, known as the NLO Youth League Super Cup Championship.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU at the corporate office of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation had top shots of NLO including top brass Chairman of the NLO His Excellency, Silas Agara, Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, Vice Chairman Imo State Football Association officials Barrister Ifeanyi Dike, members of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation and the sports media.
Addressing the August visitors at the occasion, President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, High Chief Summers Nwokie said it was his passion for football and humanitarian commitments that compelled him to sponsor the NLO Super Cup Championship adding that it was borne out of the success story of his pet club, Ikukuoma FC of Mbaise, Imo State.
The sports philanthropist gave account of his effort in uplifting grassroot football including sponsorship of notable competitions within Mbaise and Owerri zone while calling on other well meaning Nigerians to ensure the growth grassroot football.
“The love of football and social responsibility in line with his humanitarian commitments, that prompted my resolve to sponsor the NLO Super Cup billed for September.
“The success recorded by my pet football club, Ikukuoma FC at the concluded Nationwide League One Under 19 Youth League held in Awka, Anambra State boosted my resolve to promote grassroots football with 80 percent of the players in my team products of my tournament (Ikukuoma Mbaise Unity Cup Tournament and Secondary Schools Football Competition).
“I want to use this medium to urge other well-meaning Nigerians to get involved in the development of these laudable sports so as to enable the country to attain its expected height in world football.”
In his opening remarks, the NLO Chairman described Imo State as his second home while commending High Chief Nwokie for his giant strides in grassroots football.
He added that the NLO doors are wide open for collaborations with people like the President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to take the league to greater heights.
The former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State opined that the new watchword of the NLO is to ensure that players from grassroots clubs in the NLO form the bedrock of the national youth teams in the near future and that different steps have been taken to ensure the NLO has a more professional approach.
“Imo State is like a home coming. It is my second home and I feel proud to identify with people from Imo State,” Agara began.
“I stand boldly on behalf of the Nigeria Nationwide League One to identify with my brother High Chief Nwokie who has taken this bold step to partner with the NLO and also to put smiles on the faces of our young footballers from all the parts of Nigeria. It is what we expect from those God has blessed so that they can open the doors for others.
“Sports is a big industry and it can accommodate the teeming Nigerian youths by deeply engaging them in a meaningful way that they can add to that development.
“High Chief Nwokie has honoured the NLO and I wish to honour him in the same manner. When I see someone that is into grassroot sports I have a passion to relate with such a person.
“Our passion in the NLO is to make sure that the crop of the national youth team players come from the grassroots clubs. Clubs that are from the NLO.
“If we can get it right in the NLO, then we can begin to change the way the NNL and NPFL clubs are run. NLO is happy to partner and open a new chapter with you. The MoU we have signed we go a long way to show what we can do together for football.”
Agara, who further tasked Imo State to take her place of pride in the South East, challenged the President of the Foundation to help with the rebirth of grassroots football in the South East for the good of the game.
“Imo is the home of football. Football is not new to Imo State. The state has produced great national players for Nigeria. It is time to go back to the old days where those players emerged from grassroots clubs. I believe Imo can take her rightful position in the South East with the likes of High Chief Nwokie,” Agara continued.
“I want to challenge High Chief Nwokie to change the face of grassroot football in the South East if others that God has blessed can’t do it. He should do it. A token sent to other states in the South East can help to change its face in the zone. NLO will be willing to support you and bring the weight of the NFF behind you.”
