No fewer than 750 players and officials of 27 teams that will participate in the maiden ‘My Anambra Football’ Super 8 Football Championship will benefit from the free COVID-19 and other pre-tournament medical tests.
The competition is a programme of the Anambra State Football Association (AnSFA) and fully sponsored by Aspire FC Adazi-Ani.
Oliver Ndigwe, a member of AnSFA and chairman of the tournament committee of the competition, said each of the 23 players and five officials of each participating team will enjoy the free medical test.
Ndigwe said the test is to ascertain the health status of the participants in line with best practices.
According to him, the tests will hold for two days at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
“We are here for the free medical that we promised the teams and we are have Anambra Central while Anambra South and Anambra North will come for theirs on Thursday.
“In all, we are going to test about 756 players and officials for basic checks like Pulse, Body Mass Index, Height, Blood Pressure and of course COVID-19.
“This is a new innovation by the sponsor, Aspire FC, which is doing this free to ensure the tournament is conducted according to world best practices and in line with WHO and NCDC standard protocols,“ he said.
Chris Abakare, Coach of United FC, Amawbia, thanked the organisers for putting the safety of players and officials above all other considerations.
Abakare, a university lecturer, said it showed the seriousness of the competition and expressed hope that his team will do well.
Chidimma Ezeaso, Brand Manager of Aspire FC, said the exercise is also part of efforts to increase health awareness among football clubs.
Ezeaso said Super 8 is being organised under strict FIFA standard environment and to address COVID-19 pandemic health questions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first round Super 8 playoff will hold between Feb. 1 and Feb. 7 at the three senatorial district levels. (NAN)
