Vice-Chairman of Imo State Football Association and contestant for the position of Chairman, Imo FA, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike has assured Imolites of his resolve to bring changes in football administration in the state, Wakawaka Sports Extra reports.
Dike, who said this today on Global FM Sports Update ahead of the September 16th Imo FA elections, promised people of the state to expect more wonderful scenarios and atmosphere where the state will be recognised globally.
According to Dike, he will consolidate on the track records of his boss and current Imo FA chairman, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam to ensure the association is taken to enviable heights.
“We all know that before now, I have always been a campaigner of letting people know that Imo state born male and female footballers before now were the best Nigeria has produced and we have equally produced more players both in the Super Eagles, Super Falcons and other cadre of the national team.
“However, what is supposed to be our entitlement and benefits when it comes to national cake, hardly we get it. Having considered the efforts and the goodwill set by own boss, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam over the years.
“I’m promising Imolites and they should expect more wonderful scenarios and atmosphere where Imo state will be recognised to the full, where sponsors will be involved in whatever thing we are doing that at the end of the day, everybody that participated and all the stakeholders will be recognised. Be rest assured there will be serious development when it comes to football management and the game this time around in Imo state.
“It is certain that Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam is still refer to as the brain box of Nigerian football at the NFF. He is a man who believes in principles and status and when there is no particular rule, he will always sit down, consult and think.
“He is a man that is very upright and straightforward when it comes to issues affecting anybody and over time I have learned deep from him, not him alone and almost all Executive members of Imo FA. I have learnt been upright and straightforward from him.”
The football administrator trail blazer equally noted that he learned from the likes of Coach Sunday Chukwu, who impacted positively and a source of inspiration to him.
Dike added that he is a product of the grassroots and will continue to give back to the society through football administration, having garnered experiences over the years.
“It has been a wonderful experience because football is a game that improves everyone that is interested and has passion. It’s a team game both in playing and management. It is a place where you go in and meet people with different ideas and orientation coming together to achieve one goal which is victory at the end of the day.
“My experience so far has been a wonderful one and that is why I have vowed to give back to the society what I’ve been given for free. I’m a product of grassroots football. Today here I am as the substantive vice chairman of Imo FA and one of the contenders for the postion of the Imo FA chairman. Been involved in football administration has been a wonderful one.
“He has been a wonderful one. It all started when we were in Onitsha after we had our secondary school games. Few of us were invited by Coach Sunday Chukwu to come over to Enugu because we had the opportunity of playing in a final.
“Thereafter, the impact of the man has been purposeful. He is the one that will teach you that football is not all about what its happening in the field of play, it equally involves what happens in your day-to-day life. The inspiration actually came from then till now.”
