NYCN applauds Mayor Anago's Grassroots Sports Development Initiative as Awka North Team Qualifies for Street Football Championship Quarter-Finals

 

Kenechukwu Ofomah

Awka

 

The Anambra State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Surveyor Ambassador Obi Emeka Chukwudi, has commended the Mayor of Awka North Local Government Area, Hon. ThankGod Anago, for his massive grassroots sports development initiatives, which are creating sustainable opportunities for young people across the council area.

 

Surveyor Obi, who is also the Proprietor of De Gamechanger FC, a grassroots football club based in Anambra State, gave the commendation during a chat with newsmen in Awka while assessing the impressive performance of the Awka North contingent at the ongoing Street Football Championship, popularly known as “Egwuekere.”

 

The Awka North team—Anago Echetabu Avenue, Mgbakwu—registered with the support of Mayor Anago, currently sits in second place in Group A with nine (9) points, thereby securing qualification for the championship’s quarter-finals. Drawn in the same group were Federal Housing Estate, Fegge; Miss Elems Street, Fegge; Iyiowa United; and the Army Barracks Team, Onitsha.

 

The team will now face the formidable side from Obodo-Ukwu Road, Okpoko, in the quarter-final round.

 

The championship, which kicked off last month and is scheduled to conclude in November, promises cash prizes of ₦1.5 million for the winners, ₦750,000 for the runners-up, and ₦500,000 for the third-place team.

 

Surveyor Obi praised the unwavering support of the Awka North Council Mayor, describing it as crucial to the outstanding results recorded so far. He noted that the numerous football competitions supported by Mayor Anago across communities in the area have become platforms for discovery, talent development, and career acceleration for young footballers.

 

According to him, these sports development initiatives equally serve as non-kinetic solutions to local security challenges, as youths now see football as a constructive and profitable venture rather than engaging in social vices.

 

" What we are witnessing in Awka North is a remarkable turnaround in the sports sector. There is hardly a month that passes without one tournament or another taking place across our communities. These engagements have helped to identify and encourage young football protégés. The success of the Awka North team is an eloquent testimony to the impact of these initiatives, and we are sincerely grateful to the Council leadership," he said.

 

 

 

The NYCN Chairman further pointed out that Mayor Anago’s strides align with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of meaningfully empowering youths across Anambra State through productive ventures and sports diplomacy.

 

He assured that the NYCN will continue to mobilize support for youth-focused development initiatives championed by Hon. Anago, adding that with greater cooperation from critical stakeholders, even more groundbreaking achievements are achievable in Awka North.