“We Will Leverage Superlig To Transform Abia, Export Our Talents To The World” – Vice President, Aba Club Owners

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Vice President of  the umbrella body of Aba Football Club owners, Hon. Chijioke Kalu Ukpai, has assured that members will key-in to the recently introduced Abia state Superlig.

He described the concept as a real watershed which holds a very bright prospect both for the economy of Abia and the fortunes of clubs in the state.

The Source reports that the Abia State  Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in partnership with Alliance 51, a spots and entertainment management outfit, had, on July, 3,2024,  unveiled the  State’s novel Superlig.

The State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba said the new football league was conceptualized to add value to existing sporting infrastructural facilities, shore up the State’s internally generated revenue ,grow the GDP through a cluster of businesses ,and provide a veritable platform for talents, and stakeholders in the football field to make a worthy living.

The Superlig, Ananaba noted, is anchored on a 9- team format ,with three clubs each from the three Senatorial zones of Abia state.

Addressing the Media after a crucial parley with the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance 51 and top member of the League Management Committee LMC , Dike Dinmiri, in Aba, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the Vice President of club owners ,noted that the programme represents a paradigm shift from what  is known to the club owners.

Hon Ukpai said with over 50 private football clubs in Aba, they are mulling a merger process to enable them reap maximally from the new opportunities presented.

“Initially, when the idea was sold to us (football club owners) we were lost. However after a considerable discussion with key operators, I can confidently say that what we have been introduced to is a very wonderful development.

“We have not seen such before in the annals of football management and development. Particularly, we are excited by the huge economic prospect which in turn will positively impact on all stakeholders within the chain.

“We thank God that today, private football club owners in Aba will begin to see a spectacular change in the administration of the Sport in this important city.

“It is a massive paradigm shift from what we are used to. The Superlig will be  transformational, both economically, and in talents hunt and development.

“We have a whole lot of serious clubs that are redundant,good players that are unknown,with zero opportunities to be exposed to the world” Hon Ukpai stated.

Further speaking ,he emphasized that the Abia Superlig provides a rare opportunity for Nigeria’s talents out side the Nigerian Professional League to get exposed, sign contracts and play professional football all over the world.

He noted that the live broadcast aspect of the Superlig will serve as rehabilitation therapy for  hidden talents and  private clubs in Aba and the entire Abia state.

“We have the factories for  football talents here in Aba, and what is remaining is the enabling environment to distribute the products from the factories to the entire  country and the world in general. The biggest chance, has been presented through the introduction of the Abia Supelig and we will grab it with both hands” the Vice President, Aba club owners promised.