NAU Female Football Team Intensifies Preparations Ahead Of Africa University Games
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) female football team has called on Nigerians to support their bid to fly the country’s flag in the female football event of the All Africa Universities Games due to kick off in June.
Kenneth Ogbonna, Director of Sports, NAU made the call during a tour of the team to some organisations in Anambra on Wednesday.
Ogbonna said the team which was the best in the Southeast since 2019 and third best at the just concluded Nigeria University Games at Unilag was in top shape for the competition.
Ogbonna said Team Unizik was going to Kenya with 18 athletes including a gold medalist in javelin.
He expressed gratitude to the management of NAU led by Prof. Charles Esimone whom he described as a Vice Chancellor who had changed the face of sports in the institution.
“We want to thank God for the massive support we have received from Nigerians and we want to ask for more in terms of prayers and sponsorship.
“We are confident that with God on our side, we shall do ourselves, the university and the country proud at the female football event of the 10th All Africa University Games in Kenya.
“Our success will reset the mentality of the girl child, they will know hard work pays, we are also going with a gold medalist in javelin,” he said.
Also speaking, Wilson Ugwu, Managing Director of Integrated Solutions Limited, managers of the team said the tour was to promote the team and mobilised Nigerians for maximum support.
Players
Wilson said this was the first a female team would be representing Nigeria at All Africa University Games adding that their success would enhance women participation not just in sports and football in particular.
He said already Lotto, a sportswear company managed by Osita Agwu had agreed to kit the team adding that it was a great morale booster for them.
“Our’s is basically to help project the team in their preparations by garnering enough support and ensure they have a smooth sail to Kenya.
“Our target is that they get all the support, spiritual, materials and financial support from private individuals and firms to make them meet their target of conquering Africa in Kenya,” he said.
Gabriel Okpalaeze, acting Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service assured that media outfit would partner with the team on the project and help mobilise the people.
Okpalaeke congratulated the team for their exploits and urged them to remain focused.
Scholarstica Ikeobi, the captain of the team, said they were hopeful of a good outing.
Ikeobi said they had been together since their return from NUGA in Lagos and had been training intensely for the game.
The team had earlier visited Esimone, the VC of NAU in his office.
