Abia Warriors Thanks Governor Otti, fans others for support
It has been an amazing one year for Umu-Chineke team, Abia Warriors Football Club and its growing fans and followers. The emergence of Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR has indeed become a blessing for the club.
The sports loving number one citizen of the State has not only responded to the yearnings of the club, he also extended a helping hand to all the clubs in Abia State and the Sports Council. And this is the first time in the history of Abia State that such level of support is witnessed.
Governor Alex Otti Unity Games for all the Secondary Schools in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State took place this year. Games ranging from football competition, athletic events and other sports events were featured. Interestingly, all the athletes from the 17 Local Government Areas of the State were camped in the capital city of Umuahia venue of the Games. It has never happened before in Abia State.
The State has also hosted regional and national events such as the Southeast Basketball tournament, handball tournament, and most recently, the Teqball World Cup qualifiers.
It has been an amazing experience for the sports clubs in the State, all thanks to Governor Alex Otti.
For Abia Warriors, it has been a wonderful one year starting with the appointment of Coach John Obuh as the Chairman of the club. The latter’s appeals to the Governor in line with his vision to reposition the club did not fall on deaf ears. They were given favourable consideration.
Adequate funds to finance the club’s activities has been a major limitation. Luckily, the club now has a God-sent in the person of the Executive Governor of Abia State come to its aid.
Governor Otti gave unprecedented attention to Abia Warriors alias Umu-Chineke so much so that situations that would have been insurmountable for the club were addressed seamlessly. This included making funds available to re-grass the Umuahia Township Stadium turf, upgrade the VIP parking lot of the stadium, renovate the dressing room, and upgrade the Under-19 camp inside the stadium.
Another challenge that seriously affected Abia Warriors last season was a sound vehicle to convey playing staff and officials to match venues. This problem has been mitigated with the donation of a brand new 32-seater coaster bus to the Warriors by Governor Otti, and a promise to get a Sienna van for the board members, a Hummer bus for the coaches and a Hilux pickup for the Chairman.
Abia Warriors Football Club reached the final of the 2024 President Federation Cup for the first time in its history all due to the support of the number one citizen of the State.
During a reception ceremony he organised for the first runners-up of the competition, the Governor pledged a sumptuous amount of money to the team. Thankfully, he has redeemed his pledged.
This money has been put to good use, beginning with presenting cash gifts to the players (that partcipated in the President Federation Cup), those that left for other clubs this season inclusive. The club officials were not left out in this largesse.
More so, the cash gifts were also extended to Abia Warriors’ recently established fan base in Lagos, Lafia, Gombe and Benin for their various operations via their Co-ordinators.
The monetary gift from the Governor has also enabled the club to recruit quality players for the current football season campaign, and also get a camp for its youth and senior teams.
Also, it has enabled the club to make good preparations for the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League Season.
More importantly, the Governor has also pledged increased support for Abia Warriors Football Club, which indeed is a motivation of its own. It can only get better for the Warriors.
As Abia Warriors’ football season gets underway, we say a big thank you to Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR for inspiring us to dream.
