Anyaoku urges govt, private sector collaboration in youth sports development
By Uzor Odigbo
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has urged support for youth in sports to keep them productive, harnessing their talents particularly football.
Chief Anyaoku in a media chat to herald the 17th edition of Emeka Anyaoku under-17 National football tournament, expressed utter disappointment with the attitude of government, sports philanthropists and donors towards youth sports empowerment and development in Nigeria.
“If I may say, I feel very disappointed the way government and donors in the private sector abandoned the youth population of this country. I believe that the sector has been neglected.
“I thought every government would have considered it very appropriate to carry youth with talents along the sports ladder and see how developed Nigeria will become in football. I supported youth football because it had helped families in Nigeria and Africa develop and I will appreciate it if government and private donors would participate. I am already retired and don’t really have enough resources to support on a large scale,” he said.
Chief Anyaoku Under-17 National football tournament will be held on September 21st, 2025 at the Union Bank sports center at Bode Thomas area in Surulere, Lagos.
Over 36 teams nationwide started the competition and reduced to four teams for the finals and third place matches.
According to the organizers, the winner will take home N1.5 million, and a trophy, Runner up, wins N1.2 million while the third placed team will pick up a million Naira.
Lagos teams have been exceptional as the state has severally emerged winner in the past. This time around, it is a state from the North and Oyo that will play in the finals on Sunday in Lagos.
The Ichie Adazie of Obosi in Anambra State however reminded government and donors on the need to solidarity with him in building a mini-stadium at Ikorodu, a project which has been laying fallow for years without development.
The international diplomat sees a brighter future for Nigerian youth and urges the government to secure it with all vigour
