The 2014 edition of Anambra State Under-17 Schools Football Championship tagged “Growing Football Stars For Our Nation” has been flagged-off by Obi Jackson Foundation with the hope to nurture future national team squared from cradle.
Each out of the 255 secondary schools is expected to produce a full football team list that would participate in the screening set up, before grouping for this year maiden event of the tournament.
Addressing principals of all secondary schools present at their quarterly meeting with the state ministry of education, the Coordinator, ObiJackson Foundation on behalf of the Founder, Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, Architect(Barrister) James Akporero, revealed the position of the organization to foster the drive of securing better football future for the youths, match with qualitative educational prowess.
He observed that the foundation will not only identify hidden talents but would provide an international platform for prospective winners to be listed among the national team alongside having their football carrier exposed to big English clubss to further their footballing carrier.
‘’The foundation is prepare to sponsor, and exposed them internationally, the idea is this, We discover a child who is just 14 year-old, we begin to monitor the child footsteps, we ensure the child is vast ,we ensure the child also develop with sport hood.
‘’This year Obijackson Foundation is organising the tournament, which is called Under 17 Anambra State schools football Championship, while Part of the championship, is going to be free of charge your are not going to pay a dim.’’ He submit
Barrister Akporore, outlined the parameters that would be used to actualize a hitch-free tournament, noted that the drive to make this year event a worth while event and to showcase raw talents that are yet to be tapped.
‘’In the last four years, we have been committed to encourage sports by organizing football championship in some local government areas of Anambra state , but now we have decided to go steps further by exposing our talented youths to the world early in their carrier. Our vision is to catch them young and provide the platform for them to excel and showcase their talents to the world thereby putting Anambra state on the global map.
‘’We strongly believed that all work no play makes Umu-Akwukwo Anambra Dull. That’s why we have decided to marry education with sports, Our registration is free and we shall provide some of the logistics necessary to have a hitch free competition.’’ He assured.
He maintained that the foundation is poised to ensure its sustainability and make it an annual event with map out prizes for winners where the overall winner will go home with two million naira and each participant will take fifty thousand naira with a three year scholarship grant.
‘’ School that win the championship will go back home with two million naira; the two million is just for the school alone
‘’Each student will go home with 50 thousand naira, outside the 50,000 naira, every member will go with a scholarship for three years, because we are interested in the development of our children sport and education ,they don’t just only do sport but mix it with quality education.’’
‘’The championship is going to cost Obijackson Foundation a fortune but we are unmoved because we believe the words of Lydndon Johnson; Education is not an expense , it is an investment, therefore we are ready to invest in this fruitful venture which will uplift many individuals and free our youths from the shackles of poverty and ignorance. He said’
While enumerating benefits inherent in hosting the tournament that will produce quality future football stars, Barrister Akporore affirmed the desire to ensure that students get the best and '' our focus is based on developing international inclined youthful footballing carrier with great support to get sound education alongside their pursuit.''.
