By Ikenna Nwokedi
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka has eulogized the President, Aspire Foundation and RISE clinic, Chief Dr Chukwuemeka Okeke for his immense support and numerous programmes towards Sports Growth and Development in the institution, the grassroots and the state at large.
The remark was made through a commendation letter to Chief Okeke dated 8th July 2022 with the title “APPRECIATION LETTER” which was endorsed by the Chairman, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor and Senate Committee on Sports, Dr Dereck Akachukwu Orji.
The letter made available to the media reads: “Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and more importantly the Directorate of Sports wish to eulogize and thank you immensely for your support to the Team UNIZIK Sports Contingent to the recently concluded All Africa University Games held at the Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya from 5th to 10th June 2022.
The participation of these young student-athletes was essential as part of our vision for ‘Project 200’ for which sports plays a pivotal role in raising the institution’s visibility. Although there were some teething challenges in the build-up owing to the industrial action by all the University’s Labour Unions (ASUU, NAAT, NASU and SSANU) as regards funding, you came through for the Team UNIZIK contingent via your immense financial support before, during and after the games which went a long way in motivating the athletes.
We cannot thank you enough for your benevolence and constant support as one of our strongest benefactors in the institution’s administration. We pray the almighty God to reward you richly and elevate you in your endeavours now and in the future,” The letter read.
Dr Okeke has continued to redefine football administration in the state with the initiative of ‘My Anambra Football’ which gave birth to the maiden edition of ‘My Anambra Football’ Super 8 tournament held in 2021 and won by GP World FA of Nnewi. The Adazi-Ani-born former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) also bankrolled the first professional football coaching clinic for the South East zone in the mould of the 2022 five-day NLO/Berackiah Coaching clinic held in February 2022 for Nationwide League One clubs in the zone with the aim of capacity building for coaches.
The youthful human resource manager and human capacity developer also brought home the 2022 edition of the FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup Nigeria tournament held in April 2022 and is set to sponsor 20 under-16 Nigerian teenage footballers for October trials in Germany during the anticipated FC Bayern Munich Global youth cup tournament. At the grassroots level, Chief Okeke has supported cum sponsored many inter-house sporting events at the Post-Primary School level as well as Inter-Departmental and Inter-Faculty Sports Competition in some tertiary institutions based in the South East zone.
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