Ikukuoma Sports Foundation starts Stadium Construction In Mbaise

 

The President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, High Chief Dr Summers VC Nwokie "Ikukuoma Mbaise" has begun the construction of a standard Sports Complex in Okpuofe, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo state to ensure talented footballers have access to better facilities 

Speaking to journalists at the site recently, the Director General of the foundation, Comrade Nnaji Julius Kelechi who represented his president said the decision to float the project is in line with the burning passion of the President to help youths become important citizens through sports in the society.

He said the edifice on completion will serve as home ground of Ikukuoma FC and it will have other modern day facilities including hostel accommodations, training pitches and a standard hotel that can be made use of by the visitors. 

"As you already know, the passion to give youths the opportunity to express their talents and secure better future through football is the driving factor for this project," Comrade Nnaji told journalists.

"High Chief Dr Summers VC Nwokie is more than determined to build a world class sports complex in Mbaise where people can come together for a good football fiesta.

"The location is here in Okpuofe, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA and is easily accessible from Aboh Junction if you are coming from Owerri straight through Eke Ngwuru, it's easy to locate.

"Part of the plans is to also create access roads that would be tarred for easy accessibility.

"About 50 plots of land is already earmarked for the project and the construction firm has assured that the basic FIFA pro Astro turf pitch and other facilities would be ready in a short time, while other facilities can come from next year.

"The playing turf will be 50mm thick and some of the facilities that will come in immediately include the 3D Score Board as well as a good drainage system round the pitch, an 8 metre up/2 metre down perimeter fence round the pitch, the flood lights and two media stand for proper coverage of matches and events.

"It's important to note that our President is also thinking ahead hence he considered the extra land for construction of relaxation centres plus accommodation (hotel) for visiting teams and camping Programmes.

Meanwhile, former Dolphins FC (now Rivers United) and Heartland FC striker, Mr Echendu Osita Echendu, who is the representative of the Construction Firm in charge of the stadium, Diamond Orange Nigeria Limited reiterated that best equipment have been earmarked for the construction of the modern facilities.

He said the company is ready for the job and would deliver some of the required facilities within the best possible time.

"In one month time we intend to be ready with the stands, electronic scored board, the playing pitch (FIFA pro Astro turf) among other necessary facilities while work on other features of the stadium will commence from February next year", Osita said.

Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation is the overall umbrella from which High Chief Summers Nwokie is enriching and imparting life positively through his philanthropy.

A subsidiary of the Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, Ikukuoma FC got promoted to the Nigeria Nationwide League One just under four months of its formation and the team grabbed a bronze medal in their debut campaign in the Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation/ NLO Youth League which was recently concluded in Ihitte Uboma, Imo State.

The Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation/ NLO Youth League was bankrolled by High Chief Summers Nwokie and it attracted over 500 youths and officials to Imo State.

Ogunnowo announces September 5 as NLO Super Cup kickoff date, explains modalities

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nationwide League One, Olushola Ogunnowo has announced Tuesday September 5 through Saturday September 16, 2023 as the kick-off date for the NLO Youth League Super Cup, as he  revealed that there would be two wild card teams that will also take part in the competition with more clarifications in the coming days. 

"We are looking to commence it from 5th to 16th September. It is a full 10 days of football activities. The competition will boost the economy of Imo State because 18 football clubs and about 30 match delegates among others will be in the state by then."

Ogunnowo, further explained modalities for the Youth League Super Cup, as he assured that foreign scouts, members of the Technical Department of the NFF, and some national team coaches would storm Owerri to discover talents. 

He acknowledged the adulation from Nigerians and overseas for the NLO conduct of the Youth League and further itemized reasons for the Super Cup while also adding that different steps including live stream of all games have been concluded to ensure the NLO continue to have its rave review and tractions.

"This is going to be the first of its kind in the history of youth football in Nigeria. The NLO decided to take the bull by the horns to start a Youth League in the country," Ogunnowo said why fielding questions from journalists after the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation.

"We have received so many applause both within and outside the country. We decided it was not best for the teams to just play the league and stop there. The 18 teams that will take part and additional two wild cards have already been promoted to NLO but we want to come up with a championship whereby we can come up with a single winner for the Youth League in the country. 

"The tournament will be keenly contested and we have invited foreign scouts to be part of what we are doing. We are inviting close to eight sporting directors from different leagues across the world to come and see our talents from the Youth League. 

"Nigeria Football Federation Technical Department will be on ground while notable coaches in the country will also be around to see the best that can be showcased from the NLO. 

"The NLO is the only league that has a broadcasting department because we stream live most of our matches. We streamed live over 144 matches in the just concluded NLO Division 1. In the NLO Division 2 (Youth League), we streamed live close to 200 matches. All the matches to be played during the championship will be live streamed to be watched in all parts of the world."

NLO signs pact with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to float Youth League Super Cup

 

Nigeria Nationwide League One has successfully signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation led by its Founder/ President High Chief Summers Nwokie towards staging the maiden edition of NLO Youth League Super Cup Championship in Owerri, Imo State.

Both put pen on the MoU on Friday at the corporate office of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation in the presence of NLO top brass, His Excellency, Silas Agara, Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, officials of Imo Football Association, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation and journalists.

In his welcome address during the epoch making occasion the Founder/ President, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, High Chief Summers Nwokie said it was his passion for football and humanitarian commitments that has compelled him to sponsor the NLO Super Cup Championship and it was borne out of the success story of his pet club, Ikukuoma FC of Mbaise, Imo State. 

The grassroots football philanthropist gave an account of what he has done to advance the cause of grassroot football including sponsorship of notable competitions within Mbaise and Owerri zone and he also canvassed for the support of other well meaning Nigerians to ensure grassroot football continue to flourish.

"It is for the love of soccer and a prioritized social responsibility in line with my humanitarian commitments, that prompted my resolve to sponsor the NLO Super Cup billed for early September.

"The enviable success of my pet football club, Ikukuoma FC at the just concluded Nationwide League One Under 19 Youth League held in Awka, Anambra State has energized and boosted my commitment to grassroots football with 80 percent of the players in my team products of my tournament (Ikukuoma Mbaise Unity Cup Tournament and Secondary Schools Football Competition).

"I want to use this medium to urge other well meaning Nigerians to get involved in the development of these laudable sports so as to enable the country to attain its expected height in world football," High Chief Nwokie said.

In his own opening remarks, NLO Chief Agara described Imo State as his second home, as he commended High Chief Summers Nwokie for his giant strides in grassroot football and added that the NLO's doors are wide open for collaborations with people like the President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to help take the league to greater height. 

The former Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State opined that the new watchword of the NLO is to ensure that players from grassroots clubs in the Nigeria Nationwide League form the bedrock of the national youth teams in the near future and that different steps have been taken to ensure the NLO has a more professional approach.

"Imo State is like a home coming. It is my second home and I feel proud to identify with people from Imo State," Agara began. 

"I stand boldly on behalf of the Nigeria Nationwide League One to identify with my brother High Chief Summers Nwokie who has taken this bold step to partner with the NLO and also to put smiles on the faces of our young footballers from all the parts of Nigeria. It is what we expect from those God has blessed so that they can open the doors for others. 

"Sports is a big industry and it can accommodate the teeming Nigerian youths by deeply engaging them in a meaningful way that they can add to that development. 

"High Chief Summers Nwokie has honoured the NLO and I wish to honour him in the same manner. When I see someone that is into grassroot sports I have a passion to relate with such a person. 

"Our passion in the NLO is to make sure that the crop of the national youth team players come from the grassroots clubs. Clubs that are from the NLO. 

"If we can get it right in the NLO, then we can begin to change the way the NNL and NPFL clubs are run. NLO is happy to partner and open a new chapter with you. The MoU we have signed we go a long way to show what we can do together for football."

Agara further tasked Imo State to take her place of pride in the South East and he challenged the President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to help with the rebirth of grassroots football in the South East for the good of the game.

"Imo is the home of football. Football is not new to Imo State. The state has produced great national players for Nigeria. It is time to go back to the old days where those players emerged from grassroots clubs. I believe Imo can take her rightful position in the South East with the likes of High Chief Summers Nwokie," Agara continued.

"I want to challenge High Chief Nwokie to change the face of grassroot football in the South East if others that God has blessed can't do it. He should do it. A token sent to other states in the South East can help to change its face in the zone. NLO will be willing to support you and bring the weight of the NFF behind you."