The Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Dr. Emeka Okeke has stated his resolve to ensure that Beach Soccer is revived and domesticated in the state as part of the football programme of his administration.
Dr. Okeke made this known on Monday during a media parley with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Anambra Chapter, held at the new office complex of the state. The President and Founder of Aspire FC stated that part of his plans is to provide an enabling environment that will ensure that football and all football-related activities see the light of the day and prepare grounds for the new Chairman of the FA to key into what has been set in place when the election is conducted.
Reacting to the development, Coordinator Anambra Beach Soccer Development Team, Dr. Dozie Okpalaugo, affirmed the willingness of his team to work with the ANSFA Caretaker Committee in ensuring that Beach Soccer takes its pride of place in the annals of football history in the state as seen in other states across the country. Dr. Okpalaugo laid emphasis on the fact that Beach Soccer has been in the doldrums but on the premise of a paradigm shift in football occasioned by the emergence of the Caretaker Committee, it will be revived. The Sports Administrator posited that the Beach Soccer Development Team will be leveraging on the existing rules, regulations, and procedures that have been set by the NFF which supervises the beautiful game in the land.
Dr. Okpalaugo also said that at the moment, he and his team have embarked on advocacy and identification of suitable spots and locations in the state that will be suitable to kick-start the programme. He also said that the Team will be coming with a robust approach that will capture and improve the social and economic indices for Ndi Anambra, he pointed out that the support, partnership, and encouragement got already from well-meaning Ndi Anambra and Sports Enthusiasts has been overwhelming which will spur his team to work round the clock in ensuring that Beach Soccer becomes a football culture in the state.
Beach Soccer is a variant of association football played on a beach or sand which emphasises skill, agility, and accuracy in shooting at the goal.
