EX-PLAYERS ADVANCES PLAN TO REVAMP GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN IMO
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Worried by the dwindling fortune of football talents in Imo State especially in discoveries of budding stars through grassroots football competitions as being done in the 80s and 90s, a non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Imo Football Legends have shown interest to change the narrative by henceforth sponsoring and organizing primary and secondary schools football competitions.
Messrs Casmir Mbachu and Obinna Obiakor ex-international footballers who are the Coordinators of the group as they stood in for Mr Henry Nwosu, MON who’s the Acting President disclosed this in Owerri while briefing Sports Journalists on the activities of the organization.
According to the duo “Imo Football Legends are worried over the state of football in Imo State. Since all of us cut our football teeth here we are on a mission to address it through galvanization of grassroots youths football competitions using the Primary and Secondary Schools football competitions as a launchpad.
“We’re not going to depend on government, we will use our contacts and goodwill in the corporate world to attract sponsorship both from corporate organizations and high profiled individuals and so far, the responses are encouraging”they assured.
Pix: (A) Cross-section of the EXCO of Imo Football Legends during the press briefing Starting; from left are Kevin Owunna, Joseph Irechuku, Obinna Obiaka and Casmir Mbachu. 
Pix: The Coordinators of Imo Football Legends From left is Messrs Obinna Obiaka and Casmir Mbachu.
However, they expressed satisfaction for the corporation they are receiving from the State Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon. Dan Ogu, the State Director of Sports, Chief Metu and chairman of the state FA, Dr. Amanze Uchegbulem among other stakeholders.
They also stated that among their social responsibilities is to ensure good welfare packages for their members regretting that most often they are being forgotten by the society they meritoriously served during their hay days as well as offer free constructive and objective advice to the management and technical crew of the state-owned, Heartland FC in the overall interest of the premiership club.
The press briefing which was also honoured by some of their prominent members like Messrs Kevin Owunna( Chairman, Central Working Committee) and Joseph Irechukwu (Financial Secretary) informed of their plans to commence 2 days sensitization programme starting from Friday 17th December 2021 with Victory Walk starting from Dan Anyiam Stadium to Mbaise Road then back to Whethral Road and on Saturday 18th December 2021 by 9 am is an intra football competition.
The intra novelty match is made up of Team A and Team B, Team A will be Mann by Uchenna Nwaneri(Leftee) and Innocent Oparanozia (Bazoo) while Team B will be anchored by Tony Nwaigwe and Prince Eleazar Ogbonna( Alumni).
Other old warhorses that will display skills and artistry justifying the cliche that old woman can never be a novice in music she is acquainted with are Kanu Nwankwo, Mubi Oparaku, Legendary Sylvester Oparanozia (Bahama), Goddy Ogbomuche, Nicholas Ukadike, Henry Nwosu etc.
