Ex-Udoji United FC Players Plan Fund Raising for Late Colleagues Families

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Wednesday, June 1st, 2016

…To Organise Novelty Match with Ex-Super Eagles Players

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Touched by the plight of the immediate families of their deceased colleagues, ex-players of defunct Udoji United football club of Awka, Anambra state, have concluded plans to organise a novelty match between them and ex- Nigeria internationals as well as fund raising aimed at assisting widows of their late colleagues.

Briefing Sports writers Wednesday in Enugu on preparations for what they termed “charity project”, a brain child of an ex-player of the club, Ikem Udeh, coordinator of the programme, and ex- international, Emma Okocha, said that the initiator and his colleagues, are disturbed by the plight of family members of their deceased colleagues.

He noted that widows of most of the deceased players and children, have been facing serious untold hardship since after the demise of their colleagues, who were bread winners of their respective homes.

The Coordinator, who is the elder brother to former super Eagles and Bolton Wanderers, soccer icon, J.J Okocha, stated that the idea of the programme is to honour the deceased players, as well as ameliorate the sufferings of those they left behind.

The Okocha (senior), who spoke via Assistant Coordinator of the project, and sports analyst, Akonam Obiefuna, hinted that the novelty match will take place on 30^th July, 2016 by 4pm, at the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium Enugu.

“It is a charitable project aimed at raising fund to help families of late ex-Udoji United players who seem to have been abandoned by all.” He added.

He regretted that sports men and women especially footballers, who made the nation proud at national and international competitions, are easily forgotten immediately they depart this world, despite their huge contributions to the development of the round leather and other games in Nigeria.

According to him, there will be sale of raffle tickets at designated locations yet to be announced ahead of the competition, adding that winner of the star price during the draw, will smile home with a brand new car.

In their separate remarks, chairman, Enugu state football Association, Hon. Chidi Offo Okenwa, and elder brother to the initiator of the programme, Ozed Udeh,had applauded the ex-Udoji player for the wonderful idea.

While urging sports journalists in the state to assist Udeh in realising his objective, Offo, said “I want to call on you the media to key into the project, because if it is not reported, it is as good as not taken place.”

He said: “I want to sincerely commend the initiator of the programme, because it is always good to chronicle the memory of the past, remembering our fallen players, who made sacrifices in taking our soccer to the next level before their exit is worthy of praise” Offo stated.

The novelty match, will feature array of ex- internationals, such as Kanu Nwankwo J.J Okocha,amongst others.