As the tenure of Mr. Amaju Pinnicks, the incumbent President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF ends up by this September and the race for the Presidency heats up among sports administrators in Nigeria, Imo Football Association, FA rising from her 2022 Ordinary General Assembly has thrown their weight behind their Chairman, Amanze Uchegbulam to contest for the presidency of the federation.
Vice Chairman of Imo FA, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike moved the motion which was overwhelmingly supported during the General Assembly meeting held on weekend in Owerri saying Uchegbulam was the best candidate with indepth knowledge of Football administration across the African continent, saying the country needs him to restore the glory of the leather game in Nigeria.
Dike lamented that Imo and Anambra states had no representation in the NFF for 12 years running despite their immense contributions in the upliftment of the game even as he lamented that Football administration in Nigeria has nosedived.
He said “if you talk in terms of experience and capacity to manage football in Nigeria, nobody beats that of our Chairman, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, noted for his prowess, doggedness,patriotism and transparency. If we can fix the administration at the highest level, our teeming youths will benefit with the development of the leather game and Nigeria will regain her pride of place in Africa and the world in football.
The motion was overwhelming endorsed by the General Assembly though Uchegbulam said he will have to think about it, saying it was a capital intensive project irrespective of the passion, capacity and experiences.
Uchegbulam said “I have heard you but you must know that beyond capacity and passion, it involves huge financial resources and you know am a not too wealthy. However I have heard you and I will think about it because of your implicit confidence and trust in me”.
Earlier, the Assembly awarded and inducted three Honorary members, Prof Ken Anugweje, the Director of Sports at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Chief Joseph Ebowusim for their immense contributions to football development in the state and Nigeria at large.
Uchegbulam expressed gratitude as he announced that no member was suspended or disqualified because they comported themselves well even as he charged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the State Football Association.
According to him, Imo State was the only State in Nigeria that holds her annual Ordinary General Assembly as stipulated in the Statutes and thanked the members for their unalloyed commitment to football development in the state.
