Former Super Eagles’ defender, Chikelue ‘General’ Iloenyosi appears on course to emerge as the new chairman of Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) this weekend, following the disqualification of the man that was largely regarded as his main rival in the upcoming polls, megasportsarena.com reports.
The stage appears cleared for Iloeyonsi to step in a leader of the ASFA board, following a declaration by the caretaker committee of the state’s soccer governing body, with details of three major points that led to the disqualification of their former chairman, Dr Chukwuemeka F. Okeke from contesting in this weekend’s rescheduled election in Awka.
This development thereby ostensibly clears the path for Iloenyosi, who is also a former under-20 national team, Flying Eagles’ centre back, and now looks well placed to emerge chairman of ASFA, following the earlier rejection of an election purportedly won by the former incumbent boss, Chief (Dr) Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
The executive committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and body of State FA chairmen had both twice declared Ubah’s election during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown as illegal, thereby setting the stage for another round of polls, from which Iloeyonsi has expressed a desire to emerge as ASFA chairman.
The former stopper, who also played for the Super Eagles and is currently a special assistant to NFF president, Melvin Amaju Pinnick, only three months ago launched a rallying ground for ex-players by floating what he tagged 042 Legends Association.
The ex-international said 042 Football Legends Association is a pool of retired players who had career spells in Enugu, from where they emerged to give gave the round leather game a greater part of their youthful lives, saying: “The aim and objective was to provide better welfare and support to football legends in the South East.”
Back in August, the NFF inaugurated a six-man Caretaker Committee headed by Okeke to pilot the affairs of Anambra State Football Association, three days after purported inauguration of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who was reportedly reelected to lead the FA for another three years.
However, Okeke has now been disqualified, leaving the coast open for Iloenyosi, who declared emphatically that him becoming Anambra FA chairman would help to revive football in the state and restore its glory in the state.
He stressed that the current situation at ASFA in recent years have not been amenable to the development of football and he can no longer stand by and watch things go bad in his home state having been exposed to best practices across the world as a footballer and administrator.
While adding that he wants to make the Anambra FA the best in the country, Iloenyosi also assured that he would ensure that Anambra raised more international stars, through a robust grassroots football development programme.
Iloeyosi submitted: ”There is a need for a more active and purposeful leadership. This will be in terms of providing the best opportunities to all stakeholders, including club owners and players, to optimise their potential.
“There is need for healing in the FA, through the resolution of every crisis in the state’s football. Also, we have to develop young talents and ensure that our professional and amateur clubs were encouraged. I will also develop the tourism potentials of Anambra and use my reach to attract corporate sponsorships for our various competitions.”
