Abia Soccer Fest State Finals Kick Off Across Three Centres

The State Finals of the Abia Soccer Fest tournament have officially commenced, with matches taking place across three centres in Abia State.

In Umuahia, the opening fixture saw Isuikwuato face Arochukwu at the Ubakala Mini Stadium.

Performing the ceremonial kick-off on Friday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, urged players to remain disciplined and competitive throughout the tournament.

He explained that the initiative was designed to identify and nurture football talents at the grassroots level, drawing promising players from communities across the state.

“The essence of this competition is to discover talents from various communities. I am encouraged by the young players here, many of whom are between 17 and 18 years old,” Nwachukwu said.

He revealed that 57 standout players had already been identified during the local government stage, adding that the best among them would be given opportunities to compete at higher levels and attract attention from bigger clubs.

Beyond talent discovery, the commissioner noted that the competition also serves as a platform to foster unity and interaction among communities through sports.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the tournament had already produced over 50 promising talents. He disclosed that international scouts would be invited to observe and possibly select outstanding players.

Ananaba advised participants to adhere strictly to the rules and remain focused, expressing optimism that many would be selected to advance their football careers. He also commended Governor Alex Otti for his continued support for sports development in the state.

The Vice Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Captain Eric Asomugha, described the kick-off as the beginning of the second phase of the competition, featuring champions from the 17 local government areas, now grouped into four pools.

He highlighted the tournament’s broad reach, noting that it involved 184 wards and featured 166 matches during the first phase.

“The Abia Soccer Fest is about community engagement, youth empowerment, and talent discovery. We have gone deep into the villages to give young footballers a platform to showcase their abilities,” he said.

Also, the Secretary of the Local Organising Committee and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, praised Governor Otti’s commitment to youth development and urged teams to uphold fair play.

In one of the opening matches, Isuikwuato edged Umunneochi 1–0.