The Imo Football Association (FA) has urged its Chairman, Mr Amanze Uchegbulam, to contest for president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during the Federation’s September 2022 general elections.
Vice Chairman of the Imo FA, Mr Ifeanyi Dike, made the call in a motion he moved at the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Owerri, on Friday.
In the motion which was later unanimously adopted by delegates at the meeting, Dike described Uchegbulam as an astute football administrator and enthusiast.
Dike, a lawyer, added that Uchegbulam’s wealth of experience as a former National Vice President (South-East) of the NFF and longest serving FA Chairman in Nigeria, would be brought to bear if he leads the Federation.
“Having considered his wealth of experience amongst other factors, I hereby move the motion to have our Chairman, Amanze Uchegbulam, join the contest for president of the NFF.
“He was the first runner up for the position of president in the Federation’s 2014 elections and I believe that the time has come for him to occupy football’s topmost position in Nigeria,” he said.
Reacting, Uchegbulam thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed on him and promised to give thought to the request.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the meeting was the bestowment of awards of honorary memberships to some supporters of the Imo FA by the Association’s Ambassador and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Eches Divine Eches, for their contributions to the growth of the Association.
Among those who received the awards was Prof. Ken Anugweje of the University of Port-harcourt, who had successfully led the school to soccer victories in 11 different editions of the Nigerian University Games and led Nigeria to four victories at the West African University Games.
Another awardee was Mr Joseph Ebowusim, Chief Executive Officer of Pharmatex Indistries Limited, a pharmaceutical company and grand patron of football clubs in parts of the country, including the Emmanuel Amuneke Football Club.
A grateful Ebowusim who said that his involvement in football was driven by passion and the desire to discover untapped talents, pledged total commitment to the advancement of football in Imo.
“My passion for football led to the establishment of Jossy United Football Club where we groomed the likes of Chidiebere Nwakali and Kelechi Nwakali, among others.
“This award has more than doubled my passion for the game and I thank the Imo FA for finding me worthy of this great honour,” he said.
NAN also reports that in addition to delegates from the 27 Council Areas of the state, the meeting was also attended by football administrators and enthusiasts. (NAN)
