Anichebe to partner with Anambra state to provide synthetic pitches in schools

Good one Anichebe, my hope is that they see the project through!

Former Super Eagles striker and English Premiership great, Victor Anichebe, says he is willing to partner with Anambra State Government to provide synthetic pitches in schools in the state.

Anichebe made the appeal at the final of his maiden grassroots football championship for youths in Anambra, held at Nri Boys High School in Anaocha Local Government Area on Sunday.

He said that he hoped to achieve the development of youths through his “Own Goal Project’’.

The player, who made his mark at Everton FC of England, said there were lots of talents that were not in an environment that could help to develop their talents.

“I just think it is important to support the youth, I am where I am because of the support of some other people.

“And it is for me and other people that played the game as well as the government to give the youth the necessary lift.

“I plan to partner with the state government to do more things like this with my “Own Goal Project’’ and application that can be used to showcase the talents of these young ones across the world.

“The quality of play is good, it could be better; the field is not the best and hopefully with the collaboration of the government I can help bring better pitches to my state,’’ he said.

“I intend to put a synthetic pitch here and that is the way forward for youth football in Nigeria, we need the pitch because it serves in all weather.

“Let us be honest with ourselves, if we want to be a strong nation in youth football, we can’t continue to play on pitches like this.

“In England, we have parks that have great pitches, these youths need to go and train, they need better facilities and that is what government should do for them in addition to what we are doing.’’

Anichebe appealed to governments in the country to provide basic facilities to effectively harness young talents at the grassroots.

He also urged the Anambra Government to reinvigorate school age sports through greater collaboration between the ministries of sports and education.