Written By: JUDE ATUPULAZI
Many of the world’s greatest football stars today began their journey to stardom from football academies. Whether it is Ronaldo, Messi, Hazard or Mbappe, grassroots development offered by the academies remains the common denominator behind their success.
In Nigeria, until recently, it had often proved difficult to replicate such a template for football development, owing to the rush by football administrators to acquire the finished article. However, things are beginning to change for the better as football administrators are embracing grassroots football development where talents are discovered and nurtured to stardom.
In Anambra State, a new name is making waves as far as grassroots soccer development goes. That name is Dr Emeka Okeke, who only just resigned as the chairman of the Anambra State Football Association Caretaker Committee. Okeke had been committing his time, energy and resources to drive grassroots football development in Anambra State long before his election as the caretaker boss of the State Football Association last August.
Through his Aspire Football Club, he is leading the charge for tapping and nurturing talents in Anambra State and it is instructive to note that the club made history by winning the state FA Cup in their first attempt, beating Ifeanyi Ubah FC in the final in 2019. In a move that astounded many, he refused to take the two million naira prize money for the winning team. Rather, he ploughed it into the development of grassroots football in Anambra State.
Before that, he had been giving scholarships to budding football talents to encourage them to study while involved in football. His emergence on the 5th of August this year as the caretaker committee chairman of the Anambra State Football Association was therefore an opportunity for him to further implement his ideas for the good of the game. He did not disappoint.
In only two short months, Dr Okeke brought a breath of fresh air to football in the state, with some commendable achievements, which include: moving from a one-room store office to a duplex and, for the first time, giving the State Football Association the corporate look it deserved but never got. Not just that, the office has offices for some of the stakeholders in the game, including SWAN, referees, players associations and coaches.
He also organized the first ever Club Owners Summit, embarked on Local Government Facility Tours, covering 19 out of the 21 LGAs, by his committee as well as holding of an All Club Owners Radio Tour; introduction of Beach Soccer and introduction of Club Owners Health Insurance Enrollment.
Dr Okeke mapped out plans for N50, 000 grant to club owners that have participated three times consecutively in the Anambra FA Challenge Cup, introduced Club Owners League with two million naira annual grant, signed MOU with Juventus Academy, introduced ‘My Anambra Football Campaign’ and donated two branded 14-seater buses to the State FA.
He is also partnering with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Anambra Chapter, to produce a documentary to mark the fifty year anniversary of the legendary Rangers International Football Club, a club that wiped the tears of Ndigbo after the civil war and made them to start believing in themselves again.
Dr Okeke also has plans to involve sports philanthropists in the state in the running of football by getting them to own teams that will be produced through the various competitions. He is also keying into the state government’s vision for the strengthening of female football in the state. He is widely acknowledged as a man that listens, a bridge builder and a humble personality.
In Dr Emeka Okeke, Anambra has got a man who possesses the template for genuine football development and who deserves a chance to bring his ideas to fruition.
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