Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru, has assured that outstanding football talents discovered from grassroots competitions across the state will be absorbed into the Abakaliki FC feeder team as part of efforts to strengthen local football development.
The governor gave the assurance during the flag-off ceremony of the FON Youth Movement Ebonyi North Constituency Football Competition, held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki. The tournament was sponsored by Chief Chikaodili Ojemba.
Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Ugo Idike, Governor Nwifuru described football as a powerful tool for unity, youth engagement, and talent discovery. He commended the organisers for creating opportunities for young players to showcase their skills.
Prince Idike expressed optimism that Ebonyi-born footballers would soon dominate Abakaliki FC, stressing that while professional football demands discipline and structure beyond raw talent, many gifted youths in the state only require proper training, mentorship, and exposure to excel.
He disclosed that Abakaliki FC currently runs both a main squad and a feeder team, with full backing from the Ebonyi State Government, noting that the feeder system is designed to nurture homegrown talents for top-level competition.
According to the commissioner, although official player registration is restricted to the start of the football season, the club’s technical team is actively scouting players from ongoing local tournaments, including the Enviable Tournament, Darlington Football Competition, and other grassroots leagues across Ebonyi State.
He added that plans are underway to integrate the most promising players into the team ahead of the next season, expressing confidence that about 90 percent of Abakaliki FC players will be Ebonyi indigenes.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President of the FON Youth Movement and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation, Comrade Chinedu Emerike Orji, praised Governor Nwifuru for his consistent commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
Comrade Emerike explained that the competition was initiated to foster peace, unity, and collaboration among youths, adding that future editions would be expanded beyond Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone to include participants from other parts of the state.
The tournament offers a ₦3 million cash prize for the winner, while the second and third positions will receive ₦2.5 million and ₦2 million respectively.
The opening match of the competition ended in an exciting 3–3 draw against Ohaukwu South East, thrilling football fans in attendance.
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