By George Ozalla
The second edition of the Anambra State Football League has kicked off in Awka, with Akubudike Energy Ltd sponsoring the competition for the second year running.
The league opened on Sunday, August 30, at the Awka Township Stadium, with football officials, government representatives, business leaders and other guests turning up for the opening ceremony.
Akubudike Energy Ltd had sponsored the first edition after several years without the competition, helping to bring the state football league back to the pitch. The company has again taken responsibility for the 2026 edition through its Chief Executive Officer, High Chief Martin Nwabueze, Agubuzo na Dunukofia.
The ceremonial kick off was performed on behalf of Nwabueze by the Secretary of Ichie Akubudike Foundation, High Chief Sunday Anene.
Speaking at the ceremony, Anene said Nwabueze had continued to support programmes aimed at helping young people, pointing out that his involvement in sports was part of the activities of the Ichie Akubudike Foundation.
He said the foundation had spent millions of naira on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare and sports.
Anene told the players to take the competition seriously and make good use of the opportunity to show what they could do.
“This is an opportunity for our young people to showcase their talents. We encourage every player to give his best, remain disciplined and take advantage of this platform to build a future in football,” he said.
He urged the players to maintain discipline throughout the competition and give their best in every match.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, Chief Chikelu Iloenyosi, thanked Nwabueze for his continued support for football in the state.
Iloenyosi said the 2026 competition was bigger and better organised than the previous edition and would give more young footballers the chance to play competitive football and attract attention from people within the sport.
He also thanked the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for making the Awka Township Stadium available for the competition.
The football association chairman prayed for Nwabueze and expressed appreciation for his contribution to the development of young people through sports.
The member representing Awka North and Awka South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Obiageli Lilian Orogbu, also commended Nwabueze for sponsoring the league.
Orogbu said the sponsorship had given young footballers an opportunity to play in a properly organised competition and praised the use of the Ichie Akubudike Foundation to support programmes for young people.
The first match of the league was played between Peace Football Club and Ozalla Football Club.
Both teams had chances during the match but failed to score, with the encounter ending in a 0-0 draw.
The opening ceremony was attended by several personalities, including Orogbu; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Anambra State, Comrade Patrick Aghamba, who was represented by a director in the ministry; Chief Emeka Nwabueze, Chief Executive Officer of Beautiful Gate Hotel and Resort; and Chief Sir Emeka Obidike, Chairman of Masters Fitness and Well-being Club, alongside members of the club.
Others at the event included Chief C.Y. Ibeabuchi, Chief Emeka Onyejegbu, Chief Onyeka Nwabueze and High Chief Ambrose Achuonu, among other guests.
The competition will feature clubs from different parts of Anambra State, with the participating teams expected to compete for the league title while their players seek to improve their game and attract opportunities within and outside the state.
The return of the league for a second edition has also renewed attention on grassroots football in Anambra, with Akubudike Energy Ltd continuing to provide financial support for the competition.
