Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Monday hosted Abia players who were part of the Super Falcons’ squad in the just concluded Female World Cup in Australia.
Abia had four players in the Super Falcons Team that made it to Australia, the highest produced by any State in the country.
They are Ogbonna Glory Akumbu, who plays her club football with Besiktas of Turkey; Ucheibe Christy Onyenaturuchi, who plies her football trade with Club SL Benfica of Portugal; Uchenna Kanu who plays her club football with NWSL Club Racing Louisville USA; and Esther Okoronkwo who plays her Club Football in Spain with UD Granadilla Tenerife.
Gov. Otti thanked them for making Abia State proud and placing her on the world’s map.
“First of all let me congratulate all of you for doing us proud. It could not have come at a better time that our people are doing well in all spheres. Enyimba Football Club took the National League trophy just a few weeks ago and today you have done very well as Super Falcons,” the Governor remarked.
The Governor used the opportunity to announce the re-appointment of Mrs. Ugonna Philip as the coach and leader of Abia Angels Football Club, the state-owned female team.
Responding on behalf of the Super Falcon players, Miss Ogbonna Akumbu, who had captained the Under 20 Female National Team on two occasions, expressed her profound gratitude to the Governor for hosting them, saying that the kind gesture from Dr. Otti has boosted their morales and that they are now returning to their base with their heads held high having been treated as national heroes by their State Government.
The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Kenneth Kalu, and the entire Executive Council Members joined Gov. Otti in hosting the Super Falcon players.
