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Ebonyi Approves Female Football Team, Restores NYSC Stipends to Boost Youth Development
The Ebonyi State Government has approved the establishment of a state-owned female football team as part of efforts to strengthen sports development and create opportunities for young female athletes.
The State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Chidi Onyia, announced the decision during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, at his office in Abakaliki.
According to Onyia, the initiative reflects Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to revitalizing sports in the state and expanding opportunities for talented athletes.
He noted that the approval follows the remarkable achievement of Ebonyi-born athlete Gabriel Ogazi, who won gold in the men’s 400 metres at the Glasgow 2026 Games, a performance that elevated him to the world number one ranking in the event.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Nwifuru has approved the resumption of stipend payments to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Ebonyi State, ending a suspension that had lasted for over a decade.
Speaking on football development, Onyia challenged Abakaliki FC to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), describing the target as achievable with dedication and hard work.
He also urged sports journalists to continue promoting grassroots sports through accurate, balanced, and professional reporting capable of discovering and nurturing emerging talents across the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of SWAN in Ebonyi State, Ndubuisi Nwogha, congratulated Onyia on his appointment and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the state’s sports agenda through effective media coverage.
Nwogha praised Governor Nwifuru’s youth-focused policies, saying they have contributed to reducing crime and creating more opportunities for young people. He also appealed to the state government to provide operational vehicles and improved logistics to enable sports journalists to effectively cover sporting activities across Ebonyi State.
