Awka North Football Economy Rising Under Mayor Hon. Anago, Anambra NYCN Chairman Obi Reveals
Anambra State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Surveyor Ambassador Obi Emeka Chukwudi
By Kenechukwu Ofomah, Awka
The Anambra State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Surveyor Ambassador Obi Emeka Chukwudi, has commended the Mayor of Awka North Local Government Area, Hon. ThankGod Anago, for his extensive grassroots sports development initiatives, which, he said, are creating sustainable opportunities for young people across the council area.
Surveyor Obi, who is also the Proprietor of De Gamechanger FC, a grassroots football club based in Anambra State, made the commendation during an interaction with journalists in Awka while assessing the impressive performance of the Awka North contingent in the ongoing Street Football Championship, popularly known as Egwuekere.
The Awka North team,Anago Echetabu Avenue, Mgbakwu registered with the support of Mayor Anago, currently occupies second place in Group A with nine (9) points, thereby securing qualification for the championship’s quarterfinals.
Other teams in the same group include Federal Housing Estate, Fegge; Miss Elems Street, Fegge; Iyiowa United; and the Army Barracks Team, Onitsha.
The team is now set to face the formidable side from Obodo-Ukwu Road, Okpoko, in the quarterfinal round.
The championship, which kicked off last month and is expected to conclude in November, offers cash prizes of ₦1.5 million for the winners, ₦750,000 for the runners-up, and ₦500,000 for the third-place team.
Surveyor Obi praised the unwavering support of the Awka North Council Mayor, describing it as pivotal to the impressive results recorded so far. He noted that the numerous football tournaments and competitions sponsored by Mayor Anago across communities in the area have become platforms for talent discovery, youth development, and career advancement for aspiring footballers.
According to him, these sports development initiatives also serve as non-kinetic strategies for addressing local security challenges, as many youths now view football as a constructive and profitable venture rather than engaging in social vices.
“What we are witnessing in Awka North is a remarkable transformation in the sports sector. There is hardly a month that passes without one tournament or another taking place across our communities. These engagements have helped identify and nurture young football protégés. The success of the Awka North team is eloquent testimony to the impact of these initiatives, and we are sincerely grateful to the Council leadership,” he said.
The NYCN Chairman further noted that Mayor Anago’s efforts align with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of empowering Anambra youths through productive ventures and sports diplomacy.
He assured that the NYCN will continue to mobilize support for youth-focused development initiatives championed by Hon. Anago, adding that with greater collaboration from critical stakeholders, even more groundbreaking achievements can be recorded in Awka North.
