Abia Launches Football Fest To Uncover Hidden Talents
The Abia State Government is set to unveil the state’s hidden football talents among male adolescents as the Abia State Football Fest (ASF) commences on August 23, 2025.
The tournament, organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, targets young people between the ages of 16 and 23.
Speaking to Journalists on Friday in Umuahia, the Vice Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Captain Eric Asomugha, disclosed that the competition will feature 184 wards from 17 LGAs, with a total of 202 matches scheduled over 6-7 months.
“So, we have 184 wards in Abia State, from 17 local government areas, competing in a total of 202 matches, over 6 or 7 months and we are working on different things to have the best player for each match,” he said
Captain Asomugha also revealed that the tournament will attract scouts from various levels, providing a platform for talented players to progress beyond the competition.
“We shall be inviting scouts from local, state, national, and international to fish out the talents that are going to be discovered in this great tournament.
“So, every good player has an opportunity to progress beyond this tournament.”
Additionally, the LOC will hold draws in each of the three senatorial districts in Abia State for the local governments under them,” he stated.
The LOC will also organize seminars to educate officials and participants on the rules of the game and recent developments in the sports world.
According to Captain Asomugha, “The committee is going to hold a seminar to educate the officials and the participants on the rules of the game, to keep them updated of recent happenings in the world of the sports.”
The seminars will take place in each senatorial district, starting with Abia South on August 13, Abia North on August 15, and Abia Central on August 16.
Hon. Anthony Chinasa, member representing Umuahia Central State Constituency and Co-Chairman, House Committee on Sports, praised the tournament as a “talent hunt driven” initiative.
“The reason is because of the man who is at the centre of activities in Abia State on behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti,” he said.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, and his Youth and Sports Development counterpart, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, commended Governor Otti for his support to sports development in Abia State.
“The competition is not just a football competition but a sustainable engagement of discovering and nurturing talents that would make Abia and Nigeria proud,” they said.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the Secretary of the ASF LOC and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka Esq and other members of the LOC, including Dr. Kalu U Kalu, Sir Charles Nwokocha among others were present at the briefing.
Abia Launches Football Fest To Uncover Hidden Talents is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
