The Kelechi Anosike Foundation Abia Champions League has commenced in Abia State, with the tournament designed to engage young people through football and provide a platform for discovering emerging talents.
According to The Punch, the competition, sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Kelechi Anosike, began on Sunday at Williams Memorial Secondary School, Afugiri Ohuhu, in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
The opening fixture between Umuahia North and Umuahia South ended in a 1-1 draw following an entertaining contest.
Umuahia South took an early lead within the first two minutes, while Umuahia North, despite enjoying about 80 per cent of possession, secured an equaliser in the closing moments of added time.
Speaking after performing the ceremonial kick-off, Anosike described the competition as an initiative aimed at identifying football prospects from across the state.
“For me, it is a very interesting and engaging football competition. It is the first of its kind and we have seen stars,” he said.
“This is the Kelechi Anosike Foundation Abia State Champions League. Seventeen Local Government Areas, one league and one champion. So this is where stars are born. We have witnessed some and we have picked some stars already and, with time, we will engage them further,” Anosike stated.
The tournament features the 17 local government areas divided into four groups, with organisers targeting exceptional players for further development and support.
Anosike also linked the competition to his broader plan to establish a Sports and Football Academy in Abia if elected governor in 2027.
“This is what we promised Abians: Sports and Football Academy, to engage the youths and bring out the best in them,” he said.
He explained that the proposed academy would offer young footballers and other athletes access to organised training, mentorship and exposure, creating opportunities for them to progress from grassroots sports to professional and international levels.
According to Anosike, investing in sports would help keep youths productively engaged, reduce restiveness and strengthen Abia’s position as a sports development centre in the South-East.
He praised the players for their performance in the opening match and said subsequent fixtures would attract more attention, with coaches and scouts expected to monitor promising players.
Community leaders, dignitaries and football enthusiasts attended the opening ceremony of the competition, which organisers intend to make an annual event bringing together the state’s 17 local government areas.
The KAF Abia Champions League will continue over the coming weeks before culminating in a final where one team will emerge as the overall champion of Abia State.
