By Tony Oji
It is indeed a huge moment of joy for the former caretaker committee chairman of Anambra state football Association (ANSFA), Dr. Emeka Okeke, who has been honoured with a Chieftaincy Title for his tremendous support to community development, Orient Sports reports.
Okeke was conferred with the Title of ‘IKEMBA DI UGWU’ by council of Anaocha traditional rulers during their new yam festival , which is a prestigious cultural heritage and an annual event.
During his address, Chairman of the Local government council, Patrick Estate Onyedum said that the festival fosters unity amongst various communities and that it is an umbrella to encouraged farmers as well as expose young ones to the good tiding of Igbo culture.
“We will never relent in promoting our culture which is a great means of ensuring unity amongst us, that is why we empowered a lot of farmers in our various communities to go back to their agricultural business.
“Today, they are competing in this year’s new yam festival and the resultant effect is tremendous. This will also boost our market value and reduce hardship. We are going to sustain the idea by making it a more robust programme.
“I thank those who were recognized for their various contribution and charged them to keep the flag flying,” Onyedum explained.
Okeke, who is the initiator of ‘My Anambra Football’ and founder of Aspire FC Adazi Ani lauded the organisers of the event, especially Traditional rulers who are the custodian of culture in Igbo land.
He noted that the accolade bestowed on him, will serve as a motivational factor in his quest to establish a developmental plan that will empower the young ones in the state and beyond.
“Definitely, with this title, I have been challenged to invest more for the good of all of us. Within the next six months, I will establish good football pitch in ten communities in Anambra, starting with Anaocha.
“As you already know, I bankrolled the Super 8 Tournament, I love football and will never run away from it.
“Am calling on well-meaning Anambrarians to join hands with me and lift the round leather game to an enviable height. We need to work tireless to get things done in the right way, so that our society will change for good.
Orient Sports confirms that Anambra ‘Super 8’ football tournament would be sustained for the next four years while female soccer competition is already being considered as part of the project.