Abia Soccer Fest Aba North Knockout Stage Kicks Off in Grand Style at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic

The much-anticipated Abia Soccer Fest (ASF), a flagship grassroots sporting initiative organized by the Abia State Government, officially kicked off its Aba North Local Government knockout stage today at the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

The event drew an impressive crowd, including political leaders, sports enthusiasts, students, community members and grassroots supporters in large numbers who turned out in their numbers to witness the exciting football action.

The opening ceremony was graced by the Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government, Timothy Kalu Iheke, who emphasized that the tournament is not merely about winning trophies but also about empowering Abia youths through sports.

According to him, the ultimate goal of the ASF is to discover raw talents who will be groomed and sponsored to play professional football at both national and international levels.

The Aba North knockout stage opened with thrilling matches that set the tone for what promises to be a historic tournament.

In the first fixture, Team Ariaria Ward 9 clashed with Team Umuogor Ward 12, with Umuogor dominating the game and securing a convincing 2–0 victory. The second match of the day electrified the atmosphere as Team Umuola Ward 8 delivered an emphatic performance, defeating Team Osusu I Ward 3 with a remarkable scoreline of 8–2.

The Abia Soccer Fest is structured to span across the three senatorial zones of Abia State — Abia North, Abia Central, and Abia South. Over the coming months, teams drawn from various wards will battle it out in a series of competitive fixtures designed to unearth hidden football talents and nurture the next generation of stars.

Beyond the excitement of football, the ASF embodies the vision of Alex Otti’s administration to leverage sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, community cohesion, and talent development.

By targeting players within the age bracket of 16 to 23 years, the tournament provides a structured platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and potentially launch their professional football careers.

With its exciting kickoff in Aba North, the Abia Soccer Fest has set the stage for months of thrilling encounters, talent discovery, and youth empowerment, further solidifying Abia’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots sporting excellence.