The Governor made the promise during the grand finale of Izzi Football Association, IFA Super League 2024 season held at Community Secondary School Nwofe Agbaja.
Governor Nwifuru congratulated Ekumaenyi Development Center players who defeated Izzi DC with a lone goal to emerge the winner of the 2024 season and highlighted the tournament's role in the promotion of peace, unity and talent development among the youths tasking them to remain focus, disciplined as such attributes would pave way for them to soar higher in their football career.
The state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Idike and his Work counterpart, Lebechi Mbam commended Governor Nwifuru for creating enabling environment for youths to thrive and thanked IFA for their perseverance in the annual football competition and using it to unite Izhi people.
Also, the Executive Chairman, Abakaliki Local Government Area,Mr Ebere Nwogba and Barr. Steve Nwankpa of Izzi Local Government Council congratulated winner of the 2024 season and thanked stakeholders for their support promising to invest more in football as to ensure their teams maintain its places in the next season.
The Ekumaenyi Development Center Coordinator, Comrade Chika Nwibo and Igbeagu Development Center Coordinator, Comrade, Theophilus Obinna Nwedu thanked the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru for reviving sporting sector in the state and assured that they would continue to engage the youth to be useful for their betterment and growth of the state.
Earlier, the national president, Izzi Football Association and traditional ruler of Ndiechi Ezza Inyimegu autonomous community,His Royal Highness, Eze Boniface Ezeagu thanked stakeholders for their support saying that the Association has helped shaped many career footballers.
"The 2024 season ended joyfully with no sad news. i wish to thank stakeholders especially His Excellency the Governor, Rt Hon Bldr Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his support so far and others who have shown interest including the press who always come to show their support to our youth who have been participating in this annual football competition since 2002.
Speaking on his passion for the sustenance of the competition, the traditional ruler who is the former Auditor General said in keeping to the competition after over twenty years in the exercise despite his position in the society and age, the traditional ruler explained that the joy was seeing that the youth continue accessing opportunities in the sector and vowed to continue putting his best to sustain the Association.
"My joy has been to help youths to develop, after our competition you will be suprise how young people come to tell me that they have been called to come for a trial in a club sides and that has continued to encourage us to propel in the activities despite the odds.
"During the era of Ebonyi Angels, the authorities of the club had course to interact with us for players and before it was disbanded, we had three of our players there; even a young man there was picked by ABC Football Club Owerri to play for them.
"Infact, what we are now doing is creating a sort of feeder team for the Abakaliki Football Club and for these young men here who have talent can be picked and compete favourably with players anywhere in the world."Ezaegu said.
Our Correspondent reports hat the event attracted the former All Progressives Congress, APC Governorship candidate in the 2023 general election,Elias Mbam, CEO Higher Edge Broadcasting and Media Ltd, Arc. Edward Nkwegu, former Ambassadors, traditional rulers, Council chairmen and host of others.
