Imo state Sports loving Governor, His Excellency distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has raised the bar further once again in sports after recording another milestone achievement in sports when Heartland Queens football club of Owerri added another trophy as they emerged champions of the maiden edition of the SEWFA league.
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Recall that the Owerri Landladies earlier this month (August) lifted the trophy as the winners of the South East Women Football Association competition held in Owerri Imo state at the Old Township Stadium Tetlow Road Owerri.
The Landladies created a record as the only team that finished the tournament unbeaten with 6 wins and 1 draw, scoring 20 goals, conceding only 1 goal, and having 6 clean sheets. In the semi-finals, Heartland Queens outclassed Awka Angels to qualify for the finals.
In the finals which was tagged the battle of the Queens, Heartland Queens proved to the world that they are the real Queens of football in the eastern region when they defeated Imo Strikers Queens in the finals of the tournament to emerge champions.
All this feat was made possible through the giant strides of the sports-loving Governor, distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma through the commissioner for Youths, Sports and social development Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo.
The facilities at the Dan Anyiam stadium are enjoying a thorough rehabilitation and facelift. Now athletes have stepped up training while National sporting associations have scrambled to host the national sporting events here in Imo with the SEWFA league as the most recent inter-state competition, due to relative peace recorded in Imo state.
Eleven teams participated in the just concluded SEWFA tournament and aside from 3 teams from Imo state which took part in the tournament, the rest of the teams came from Enugu, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi state to compete for the ultimate trophy.
The sports commissioner gave all necessary support in order to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament and also Made available facilities needed to make their stay comfortable and make the tournament a success.
A rejuvenated Heartland Queens won the maiden edition, thanks to the initiative of the sports commissioner who inaugurated the recruitment and administrative committee to help restructure the team and prepare the team ahead of the new season.
In his reactions after Heartland Queen’s victory, Okoronkwo was full of praise for the team for living up to expectations and went further to remind them that the task ahead is bigger than what they just finished.
Okoronkwo further pointed out Governor Uzodimma’s impact.
“ Winning this preseason SEWFA tournament is a sign of many things to come for Heartland Queens this season. The target for me is the super six stage and I’m sure with the plans on the ground, Heartland Queens will achieve it.
Every necessary plan to achieve more trophies is underway and both the administrative committee and the recruitment committee are doing their best to attain this set target for the season by bringing in the best legs and also ensuring that the player’s welfare is top-notch because the females are sensitive gender and their welfare is our priority.
You can agree with me that the delay of salaries and match bonuses is now a thing of history. None of the players are being owed and Heartland Queens player’s welfare is second to none in the region. You can do your fact check and this is because the Governor has massive interest in Heartland.
Our Governor loves Heartland and has left no stone unturned in ensuring their welfare. In appreciation of his giant strides, the team will also reciprocate this gesture by winning more laurels.
Winning the SEWFA league trophy is one of the ways the team is showing appreciation and saying thank you to our Governor and I’m optimistic that the team will go ahead and attain Super Six to further prove their gratitude “ Okoronkwo Concluded.
Having won the trophy, Heartland Queens has simultaneously concluded screening and will begin to blend the squad ahead of the new league season.
Training is currently in top gear and in no distance time, Governor Uzodimma who has motivated the team to succeed will be receiving them to spur them on again for more victories.
