Ebonyi State Government has acquired a professional football club to replace the disbanded Ebonyi State Angels Football Club, which was sold during the administration of Governor Martin Elechi over ten years ago.
The State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Idike confirmed this while briefing newsmen at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki, on the recent approval by the state Executive Council, for the acquisition of a new professional football team.
Prince Idike said the Ministry, following the directive by the state, purchased the Coal City Football Club, which is a National League club for the state.
He said the Club will be part of this season’s campaign, billed to kick start in a few weeks.
The Commissioner announced the name of the new club as Abakaliki Football Club.
According to him, the new team will be returning to the state with fifteen players of the squad while an arrangement is in top gear to sign a top-class coach to handle the team.
He noted that screening is on to sign more quality players for a successful campaign in the league ahead, emphasizing that the common target is to gain promotion to Nigeria’s top league and the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL.
The Commissioner, accompanied by Special Assistant to Governor on Sports Development, Pius Nwankwo, the Director of Sports in the Sports Council, Emmanuel Utobo and the New Permanent Secretary in the sector, Hillary Obiesie, assured emergency renovation work in the stadium’s pitch.
He thanked the Governor for his goodwill and establishment of the new club, pledging a total commitment towards the task ahead.