•Teams to participate in elimination series for intermediate games

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

In its effort to return to its glory state in the field of sports, the Anambra State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development over the weekend kicked-off screening exercise with about 350 attendees to select players for both the male and female football teams.

The upcoming teams are expected to take part in the forthcoming South East Zonal eliminations for intermidate games to be held in Umuahia, Abia State this August.

Declaring the exercise open at the Awka city stadium,, the Commissioner in charge of Sports and Youth Development, Patrick-Agha Mba said revealed that the players were drawn from senior secondary schools and sports academies across the state.

He said: “The state under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo will build strong football teams in both male and female categories as well as in other sporting events that will not only conquer their peers in Southeast but go ahead to be worthy ambassadors of the zone in Lagos.

“With the kick off of this football screening exercise for the zonal eliminations in Umuahia, here at the Awka Township Stadium, we have kicked off preparations for the Intermediate games in Lagos.

“From these young boys and girls, we hope to raise the best from the Southeast and that is why I have told the coaches that they must give us the best among them.”

While commending Soludo for his commitment to the sports sector, the Commissioner charged the players to be disciplined, dedicated and focused in their academic endeavours and pursuit of a career in sports.

He noted that the preparation has been made possible by the state Governor who he added has provided the political leadership for sports development just as he is doing for other sectors of the Anambra society.

He was joined by Chikelue Iloenyosi, Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, Emeka Obidimma, the Director of Sports and other officials.

The participants included no fewer than 70 female and 280 male players between the ages of 16 and 19.

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