— Over 50 Talents Discovered at Under-13 Tournament Finals in Owerri
Old Stadium, Owerri — It was a carnival of football as the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Imo State, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, addressed a cheering crowd at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Under-13 Youngsters Football Tournament, tagged “Catch Them Young.”
The grassroots football initiative, driven by Hon. Onyeocha himself, is aimed at discovering, grooming, and developing future football stars from the state. According to the commissioner, the tournament is strategically designed to catch young talents early, nurture them through a well-structured development pipeline, and position them for both state and international football opportunities.
“This tournament is not just about competition,” Onyeocha told the gathering. “It’s about building the future of football from the ground up. We want to discover these kids now, grow them into top-level players, and watch them dominate both national and international scenes in years to come.”
Hon. Onyeocha confirmed that over 50 outstanding young footballers have already been discovered during the two-month competition among Imo Kids Club Sides. He noted that trials will soon begin to select a formidable squad that would represent the state in future youth competitions.
“I’m confident that Imo State will soon become a major breeding ground for football talents in Nigeria,” he declared.
The final event was graced by top stakeholders in the sporting community, including the Technical Manager of Heartland FC and former Super Eagles winger, Ambassador Emmanuel Amuneke, who was specially acknowledged by the Commissioner for his presence and keen interest in the budding stars.
In addition to medals and trophies, Hon. Onyeocha announced that the top three teams would go home with cash prizes — an incentive aimed at encouraging the youngsters to balance their academic pursuit with football excellence.
The Commissioner used the occasion to appreciate Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma for the opportunity to serve and for his continued support of sports development in the state.
He also extended gratitude to the Chairman of the Imo State House Committee on Sports, Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, and other members of the Assembly for their unwavering backing of youth-centered initiatives.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Dr. Utasi, alongside other ministry officials, was also commended for their commitment to ensuring the success of the tournament.
The “Catch Them Young” finals mark a new era for grassroots football in Imo, setting the stage for a future generation of champions.
