By: Akonam Obiefuna
Nanka will be a centre of attraction on Friday, February 14, 2020. The magic of Sports, Football in particular, will take the centre stage when VEMARD Africa Football Club engages Enyimba International Football Club of Aba at NEROS Sports Stadium, Nanka.
The question is, why the Choice of Nanka as the venue for this big match? The reason is that Nanka is one of the towns that have the richest sports/football history in terms of template for football development in Anambra State. Nanka organized and played the best packaged and well branded Christmas Sports Competitions – Nanka Champions League, Nanka Marathon, Nanka Volleyball Competition and many others.
Nanka equally hosted the opening, other stages and final matches of Anambra State FA Cup. Nanka has one of the best stadia in Anambra State. Nanka hosts many Nigerian Professional Football League clubs’ pre-season camping programmes. The clubs include Rangers International, Heartland Football Club, Abia Warriors and others.
Nanka also hosts National Federation Cup (formerly FA Cup) preliminary and knockout matches. Nanka has one of the most disciplined football fans in the state. It is a very hospitable and friendly town, very accommodating and welcoming. Nanka is well known as a sports city and home of the elite.
Above all, the possibility came to bear through the vision of Dr Poly Emenike, MON, Odenigbo Nanka, MD/CEO, NEROS Pharmaceuticals Limited, who constructed a gigantic Stadium at Nanka, known as NEROS Sports Stadium.
The stadium was officially opened and commissioned on May 26, 2012 with the National Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, sizing up Nanka Eleven for the formal opening of the stadium for public use. The man, Odenigbo Nanka, sponsors Nanka Champions League, which started since 1983 and it is still waxing stronger each year. He also sponsors Anambra State FA Cup, known as NEROS Pharmaceuticals Anambra State FA, which commenced in 2007 and it is still rated the best State FA Cup in Nigeria.
The scenario might have given clue to the choice of Nanka as the venue for this grade ‘A’ friendly match. Another reason is that VEMARD Africa Football Club just relocated to Nanka to use NEROS Sports Stadium as their base for 2020 league season. The club is currently campaigning in the Nationwide League One, Division One. All their league home matches will be played at NEROS Sports Stadium, Nanka this season and subsequent seasons.
The match, VEMARD Africa versus Enyimba International Football Club of Aba is aimed at informing Ndi Anambra, other four Eastern States and Nigerians in general that VEMARD Africa Football Club now have their base in Anambra State, Nanka to be precise. Kudos must go to the chairman of VEMARD Africa Football club, Mr Chidi Okonkwo, his board members and club officials for bringing this noble project to Anambra State.
On Friday this week, former Super Eagles players, Taribo West and Victor Ikpeba, will be live at the stadium. Also, top Musician, SLOWDOG, will perform live. Other upcoming musicians are to grace the occasion too.
As a prelude to the main match; NANKA ALL STARS will take on sports journalists’ players, known as SWAN in Anambra State to help spice up the event. Once again, Friday, February 14, Saint Valentine’s Day is the D-Day. It is an opportunity for you to relax your nerves at Nanka on that day. The first match comes up by 2pm, while the second and the main match between VEMARD Africa and Enyimba International Football Club of Aba will take the centre stage by 3:30pm.
Dignitaries expected include Igwe Godwin Ezeilo, Obu Nanka, Dr Poly Emenike, MON, Odenigbo Nanka, MD/CEO, NEROS Pharmaceuticals and Chief Mike Umeh, Udemba Amichi, immediate past Chairman, Anambra State Football Association, former NFF Vice President, former Acting President, NFF. Others are Mr. Tony Oli, Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, State FA Officials, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba etcetera.
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