Grassroot Football: Pinnick commends Anambra FA Chairman, Iloenyosi for developmental strides

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja

The Chairman of Anambra Football Association, Chikelue Iloenyosi has received a tacit support of the former President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick for his emphasis on the grassroots football development in his state.

According to Iloenyosi popularly called “General” by his admirers, Pinnick is so far impressed with his performance in office especially in the area of grassroots football development which has seen Anambra state sponsoring a second tier football team, Solution football club which is competing in the  on-going Nigeria National League (NNL) 2023/24 season.

Speaking exclusively to Prompt News on Monday in Abuja, Iloenyosi who served under Pinnick as one of the Special Assistants disclosed that his former boss has expressed his delight that he has lived up to the expectations since he became the Chairman of Anambra FA.

Said he: “I want to make it public that my former boss has commended my job as Anambra FA Chairman. He has expressed his joy that I have not disappoint him and my people who voted me into office. Mr. Amaju Pinnick is particular happy about my giant strides in grassroots football especially the establishment of a state-owned clubside within the short time in office”.

He also said that Pinnick who is a Member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions and also former First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from September 2018 to July 2019, stated that he does not regret supporting his candidature for the Anambra FA Chairmanship race.

Iloenyosi, a former Super Eagles defender who also  played in the U-23 Olympic Eagles, has since his assumption of office in July 2022, as the FA Chairman changed football narratives in the state. His reign has seen competition after competition in the state since his tenure began.

But the FA boss who came into Abuja from Cotè d Ivoire where he has been watching the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Pinnick has restated his commitment to the development of grassroots football, promising to replicate what obtains in the Western world in Anambra state.

For his efforts,  Iloenyosi has continued to receive awards as he was on Thursday, November 16,  2023, decorated with prestigious ‘Best FA Chairman Award’ at a colourful ceremony held at the Rock View Hotel, Festac, Lagos.

The award was presented by the Meljenstin Group with the event coinciding with the Nigeria versus Lesotho FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He was represented at the event by his Personal Assistant (PA) Charles Amechi.