Jude Obikwelu, Vice-Chairman, Anambra Football Association, on Thurday attributed the decline in the number of clubs that registered for 2018 Federation Cup in the state to poor reward.
Obikwelu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka that football in the state had not enjoyed government support as only one sponsor, Neros Pharmaceuticals Ltd, had been bankrolling the competition.
NAN reports that participating clubs in the competition declined from 48 in 2017 to 28 in 2018.
Obikwelu, a retired referee, who noted that most of the clubs that enlisted in 2018 were new, observed that those who participated and did not win nor get return for their money refused to register.
He dismissed claims by some club owners in the state that the decline was due loss of confidence in the way the FA was running football.
He said: “We had 48 teams last year and 28 this year, that is the way it has always been in Anambra, we have even had just 24 teams in the competition.
“The problem is that Anambra government doesn’t support us so the reward is not encouraging and if teams compete and win, they won’t come back again.
“And again, most of them approach the game with business mentality and not necessarily for the love of it.’’
Obikwelu also cleared the air about the conduct of the FA Cup draws and its repeat in the state on April 25 and May 2 respectively.
He said the result of the first draws held on April 25 was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation but was rejected for some identified flaws.
According to Obikwelu, the NFF rejected and cancelled the first draws because it said the FA did not follow the convention.
He assured that the repeat would not affect the integrity of the game in any away, assuring fans that only the best would emerge as there would be fair officiating for all teams.
He said: “You know last year, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders played the final and came first and second; so, we tried to avoid such recurrence by making them belong to the same group.
“We reasoned that it will be more glamorous if the same two clubs play in the final again.
“Conventionally, the first and second teams in the previous competition are placed at the top and bottom of the draws to enable them play more matches, so, the NFF insisted it must be like that.
“The repeat of the draws is clear to everybody, the clubs are happy because they understood what happened, so, it will not in any way affect the quality of the competition.
“Officiating will be 50/50.’’
NAN reports that the kick-off of the competition will be at the Neros Stadium, Nanka, Orumba North Council Area on May 4.
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