The Chairman, Imo State Football Association, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike has called on Imolites to register their teams in the ongoing Imo State League, Silvernews.com.ng reports.
Speaking exclusively with Silvernews.com.ng, Dike tasked teams to leverage on the opportunity to showcase their talents aimed at discovering talented players.
“We are informing and enlightening Imolites on the need for every community and associations to raise teams that will register and participate in the ongoing Imo State league.
“The National League One is ongoing in various centres in Nigeria and upon completion, those that qualified will move to Nigeria National League and those who qualified from the state league will move to the NLO and start moving on from there.
“We have discovered that football activities is no more booming as it used to boom in Imo State and we have been wondering what is the cause and why are people not interested in joining football activities.”
He noted that considerations will be given to accommodate teams to prosecute matches in their zones due to the economic and security situations in the country while pledging to run an inclusive league where everybody will be carried along.
“However, we have resolved since we came on board to carry everybody along to make sure there is transparency in what we are doing and fairness.
“We are urging Imolites to come out en masse to showcase their talents for us to see the possibility of moving even some talented players from the level of state league to even premiership. It is doable, possible and has happened several times.
“Most of the big names like Kanu Nwankwo, Mobi Oparaku and others participated in this league and today they have made name for themselves, Imo State and Nigeria.
“From the directive given by NFF, the registration is about N120,000 – N70,000 is the registration for NFF whereas N20,000 is for the club’s affiliation to the FA and N30,000 is for logistics and preparations for the tournament proper.
“We are urging everyone to participate. Compliance is the key word this time around and we believe Imolites with what they have seen so far, will comply en masse.
“The number of teams that registered in a particular area determines what will be the outcome of zoning and centres been created. We are looking at that but what determines is number of teams participating and the area.”
