Rangers Int’l, Partners SWAN on Grassroots Football Development in South East

By Ikemefuna Asika

Rangers Intl. Football club of Enugu have promised to work closely with the leadership and members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN for greater development of football talents in the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Mr. Amobi Ezeaku, General Manager of the Flying Antelope made the promise when Ikemefuna Asika, Vice President of SWAN, Southeast paid him a working visit in his Rangers House office in Enugu on Friday.

Ezeaku who congratulated Asika on his appointment said the management of the club was happy with the support it had received from sports writers adding that the partnership could only get better.

The youthful football technocrat made the offer that the Vice President should come up with ideas on areas of collaboration that would evolve a better and more successful sporting outcome in the Southeast assuring that Rangers were open for partnership.

“Together we can build our institutions , together we can grow our system, feel free to reach out to me on areas that can make us achieve a greater success in sports.

“On your appeal that clubs should work together, we are ready to collaborate, provided it does not touch on the integrity of the game, we are always in touch.

“Again, I pledge to work with SWAN, so, if there is anything I should know or where u can come in, do not hesitate to reach out,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, VP Ikemefuna Asika said his choice to Kickstart his tour of Southeast with Rangers Int’l was strategic as the club has maintained a sports structure that had spanned for over five decades.

He congratulated the club for their victorious feat in the 2023/2024 NPFL season while urging them not to be daunted by their short-lived campaign on the continent.

The Vice President commended the General Manager and the Government of Enugu State for ensuring that Rangers Int’l remained one of the most stable club in Nigeria in terms of league standing and players’ welfare.

Asika pleaded with the GM to accord members of SWAN their pride of place in the team by ensuring they got their due while urging him to understand their watchdog role in system.

“Further to that I want to congratulate you for being one of the youngest and best performing General Managers, the first GM to have played a league match as well as maintaining significant presence on the national teams with your players.

“What happened at the Champions League has happened, there will always be another opportunity,” he said.

He commented the club for the U-15 and U-17 youth program they embarked upon recently, pointing out that it is the way to go in developing football.

The Vice President was accompanied on the visit by SWAN Chairmen of Anambra, Enugu and Imo States.