The Special Adviser on Education and Sports to the Governor of Delta State, Mr Lucky Sunday Nkeki has thrown his weight to support Community football competition which is tagged Ika Grasroots Football League (IGFL). The League which involves Ten Grassroots Teams from 8 Communities within Ika would commence on 24th AUgust 2021. The League is being Organized by KG Sports Foundation in Collaboration with the Sports Development and Empowerment Initiative (SDEI) and powered by SportsID.
Addressing the CEO Sports Development and Empowerment Initiative Dr Ken Gadaffi who paid the SA to the Governor a courtesy Visit in his Office at the Delta State Football Association on Friday, Mr Lucky Sunday Nkeki commended the initiative to organize such competition and has committed to support the League,
“Let me use this opportunity to thank the organizers for coming up with this initiative to organize a League in Ika for grassroots teams, and I am happy that this will provide a good opportunity to scout for Quality Players within the Region and State that can go on to join professional Teams”.
The SA to the Governor on Sports in the state expressed displeasure as all three teams in the State were Relegated at the end of the Season Esepcially NPFL Team Warri Wolves and stated that the State Governor has challenged the DFA and Sports Ministry to Ensure they Return to the Premier League next season.
“Once again I need to appeal to the organisers to use the league to prepare the teams to develop quality players, We will be taking a close look at the league as we scout for players to be recruited into the various Clubs in the State, The Sports Commission and State Governor are not Happy that our Clubssides were relegated and we have been given the challenge to get the teams promoted next Season” Mr Lucky Sunday Nkeki Stated
Lucky Sunday also promised that the Matches involving the Teams in Agbor would be played at the Agbor township Stadium in order to expose the players to top flight football.
Responding, Dr. Ken Gadaffi who is also the Managing Director of KG Sports Foundation, the Main Organizer of the league thanked him for showing interest in youth and sports development not only in Ika Kingdom but all through Delta State and its environs saying that what the Governor has been doing to bring sports to the grassroots in the state is indication of the efforts the SA to the Governor has been putting and a clear indication of his Leadership Qualities.
He also promised the SA to the Governor that the organising committee are equal to the task and ready to make the inaugural edition a memorable one.
“I am here to officially notify you and the DFA of our plans for the IKA Grassroots Football League. Secondly I am also here to Solicit your support on the competition which you have done in your speech. We promise to make the tournament a memorable and better organized,” Dr Ken Gadaffi Said.
Ten teams from Agbor Obi, Ewuru, Umunede, Owa-Ekei, Umunede, UteOgbeje, Alihamen, And Ekuku Agbor will be taking part in the first edition of the IKA Grassroots football League.
