Ikpeazu Seeks Partnership with Top European Clubs for Enyimba FC

Ikpeazu Seeks Partnership with Top European Clubs for Enyimba FC

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogoin Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has initiated plans to strike a partnership deal with top flight European clubs to assist Enyimba FC of Aba and other football clubs in the state to fully maximise their potentials to become formidable clubs at national, continental and global levels.

He disclosed this yesterday in Aba, saying that it was the reason for his recent visit to Spain with his Rivers State counterparts, Governor Nyesom Wike. Ikpeazu said that he has his eyes on Barcelona FC of Spain and Paris St. Germain of France, noting that a deal with such reputable clubs would further his agenda of grassroots sports development in the state.

Rivers State has already sealed a partnership deal with Real Madrid FC of Spain and during the visit with Ikpeazu, Governor Wike signed a ratification agreement at Real Madrid Sport City, Fuerzas Armadas avenue, Madrid Spain.

Ikpeazu told journalists at his Aba lodge that the state has “officially invited” InteractSport, the consultants that brokered a successful deal for Rivers State Goverernment, to explore the possibilities of hooking either Barcelona or Paris St Germain for Abia teams.

He said that such a deal would leverage on “our intimidating presence in the NPFL with three successful clubs, and several amateur clubs as well as local football academies”.

“We are also committed to development of grassroots sports which will take off with over 300 boys and girls from the street and offer exciting opportunities to the next generation as we are already doing in the shoe and garment cluster,” he said.

The Abia chief executive pointed out that a UK based academy, Brooks House, was already training three young Abia talents they discovered after the school sports programme organised by the state government.

He also used the occasion to applaud Enyimba FC of Aba for their away victory over Diambars FC of Senegal in their CAF Confederation Cup first round tie, describing it as “an exhilarating birthday gift to me from Finidi George and his boys”.

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