Newly elected Board of the Imo Football Association has stated its readiness to collaborate with the Christian Association of Nigeria, the state chapter, for the development of the round leather game.
Board chairman, Barr Ifeanyi Dike, who disclosed during a courtesy call on Revd. Eches Divine Eches, chairman of CAN in the state said the board is seeking partnership with the church and other stakeholders in Imo State to promote football and peace.
He thanked Eches for unwavering support noting that the visit was to strengthen collaboration especially in tapping from the huge human skills within the church spread across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said, ”The aim of the visit is to fraternize with you and state our desire to always maintain the relationship started through Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, my predecessor. Thank you for always giving us access to CAN facilities. You have demonstrated Christianity well to us such that if we were not Christians, we would have gladly embraced it.
“We intend to draw from the huge deposits of the church to foster peace and security of lives and properties across the state and beyond.”
Rspondinging, Revd. Eches felicitated the FA chairman and members on their election, adding only football had been proven to unite Nigerians since politics, governance, and religion had all failed to do so.
He aasued of his readiness to provide all necessary assistance to encourage the FA.
“We must encourage the administration so as to encourage and affect our youths like Kelechi Iheanacho, Kanu Nwankwo, and all the others discovered on the streets, schools, and churches. I assure you on behalf of Imo CAN, that we will partner and assist you to achieve your goals and to sustain the legacies of Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, the former FA Chairman,” he said.
Immediate past FA Chairman, Uchegbulam who was part of the visit, appreciated Eches for support to his football administration career at the Nigerian Football Federation and Imo FA.
Other members who were in attendance include the FA’s Vice chairman, Chief Sylvester Obasi; Chief Charles Nnadi; Chief Sunny Ndubuisi Ekeocha, Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, all newly elected members and Mr Clifford the assistant Secretary of the FA.
