The recently concluded Governor’s Secondary Schools unity games and Football Youths Talent Hunt, organized in the state, have started yielding positive results, as six Abia youths have been selected for football trials in Europe.
Governor Otti has assured six football players, who have been presented with the opportunity to advance their football careers in Europe, of his administration’s support.
The six youngsters were chosen in the just concluded talent hunt competition organized by Dreamland Football Academy in collaboration with the Embassy of Hungary.
The weeklong competition, which was hosted at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, came to a successful conclusion on Thursday with the selection of six players out of over 300 talented players, who participated in the tournament, to go to Hungary and other European countries to further their football skills.
Speaking before handing over the gold medals and the cup to the winners of the tournament, Governor Otti said, “Let me congratulate every participant from the beginning up to this moment. I want to say a big congratulations to all of you. Just like everything in sports, the joy is in participating. You may not win today, but tomorrow is another day.
“I would like to congratulate the six players that were selected for onward destinations to Europe where they will be participating in different club sides. I do not doubt that they will do us proud. I also do not doubt that they will represent Abia, Nigeria, and Africa very well.
“On our part, if there is any support we need to give you, feel free to let us know and we will support you.”
The Governor also congratulated the winner of the tournament, Phantom Eagles FA, and the runner-up Enyimba FC U18.
He encouraged those who were not selected not to give up but to continue to work hard as they might be lucky in the next edition, which he said he was looking forward to in the next 12 months.
The Governor used the opportunity to especially appreciate the Hungarian Ambassador His Excellency Lorand Endreffy for finding time to personally attend the finals of the competition and for the strong relationship that the Abia State Government enjoys with the Government of Hungary.
“I want to thank His Excellency the Ambassador for making time to be here personally and for the strong partnership that Abia State enjoys with the Hungarian Government and I believe that it will grow from strength to strength.”
Governor Otti also thanked the organizer, Abia-born Mr. Ndudi Edede, founder/CEO of Dreamland Football Academy, Abuja, for a job well done and for bringing the tournament to his home State, Abia, supported fully by the Embassy of Hungary.
Ambassador Lorand Endreffy who had earlier visited Governor Otti before heading to the Venue of the finals, thanked him for coming despite his very busy schedule. He also thanked the organizers for a job well done.
He encouraged those who were not selected not to get discouraged but to work harder. He congratulated the selected six and wished them good luck as they advanced their football careers in Hungary and other parts of Europe.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, thanked the Organizers for a job well done and encouraged the selected players to be good ambassadors of Abia State and Nigeria when they get to Europe to continue their football career.
The selected six players are Samuel Okechukwu, Enyimba Under 18; Danzaria Mathias, Phantom Eagles; Chidubem Ignatius, Enyimba Under 18; Achi Kosisochukwu, Phantom Eagles; Edeh Paul, Phantom Eagles; and Henry Ikenna, Dreamland Academy.
