Lovers of grassroots football will have so much to deal with as from July 5th at the Onwubiko International Soccer Academy Stadium in Ngor Okpala as the debut edition of the Imo Super League takes centre stage.
The tournament, organized by the Imo State Club Owners Association, promises to be a thrilling showdown of talent, passion, and ambition as 16 formidable teams lock horns for supremacy and more importantly, the chance to win the coveted one million Naira and also to be discovered on the global stage.
With scouts and sporting directors from across the globe expected in attendance, the stakes are sky-high. While the ₦1 million prize money is up for grabs, the true reward lies in the opportunity for these young stars to be scouted, signed, and propelled into the next level of their footballing careers.
The League Coordinator, High Chief PMC Okeke explained to Sports journalists at the City Cruz Hotel, Owerri on Friday the vision behind the tournament:
“Imo State is blessed with enormous footballing talent, but many of these young stars lack a platform to showcase themselves. That’s why we took the bull by the horns and created the Imo Super League — to promote grassroots football and offer a stage for our talents to shine,” Okeke said.
He added that the tournament is not just about competition but about unity, development, and opportunity:
“Football is a tool for peace and unity. Through this league, we aim to bring club owners, players, and communities together under one umbrella. We are also organizing workshops for players and coaches to ensure a peaceful and professional tournament.”
The participating teams have been drawn into four groups of four, promising mouth-watering fixtures and edge-of-the-seat action:
GROUP A
• Kun Khalifat FC
• East Coast United FC
• Blacksalt FC
• Giant Brillars
GROUP B
• Amiyi FC
• Acquire FC
• Akonye FC
• Akokwa United
GROUP C
• Kun Khalifa FA
• Ave International
• OISA FC
• Fr. Eburuaja FC
GROUP D
• SilverSports FC
• Raven FA
• Malick PRO FC
• Campos FC
The League has already begun attracting attention not just locally, but internationally, thanks to a strategic visibility plan that includes live streaming of all matches on two dedicated YouTube channels, giving fans, scouts, and stakeholders worldwide a front-row seat to the action.
High Chief Okeke also called on sponsors to partner with what is set to become a permanent fixture on the Nigerian football calendar, with an ambitious plan to make the Imo Super League an annual celebration of talent:
“We thank the government for their support so far. It hasn’t been easy, but we are determined to give these players a future. Sponsors, we need you on board, this is a movement!”
As the countdown begins, excitement is reaching fever pitch across the state. From Owerri to Orlu, from Mbaitoli to Mbaise, fans are already gearing up for a footballing spectacle like never before.
