The Ebonyi state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Charles Akpu-Enika has said that the state has a standard football club which will compete in the Nigeria National league (NNL) cadre.
Akpu-Enika made the assertion in Abakaliki while reacting to the promise of floating a new football club for the state, made by an opposition party gubernatorial candidate.
The commissioner said that he decided to react to such promise to save the public especially football fans from being deceived.
“We are in an electioneering period where people will say what they can do and what they cannot.
“The truth must however be told that the state currently has the Salt City Football Club of Abakaliki.
“We would soon conclude all registration processes for it to compete in the Nigerian National League cadre.
He added that the team sourced its players from the 13 Local Goverment Areas of the state and a pool of talented ones across the country.
“The team has so far played six friendly matches against tough oppositions from different parts of the country in preparation for the NNL challenge.
“It won four of the matches and drew two and is continuously being strenghened for a credible league participation.
“We hope the completion of the ultra-modern, 30,000 capacity international stadium in Abakaliki will help its cause as the government is not distracted in its sports development drive.
Akpuenika assured soccer fans that national football actions would soon be brought to their doorsteps, urging them to disregard any information about floating a new club.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru is a sports lover and will surely sustain the present administration’s legacies in sports.