Abia State Government Collaborates With Private Operators To Stimulate Economic Growth Through Football.

Abia State Supalig to Boost the State’s Economy through Football

The Enyimba International Stadium Aba and the Umuahia Township Stadium have been identified as potential channels to enhance Abia State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). With a projected cumulative value of over N7 billion, the introduction of the Abia State Supalig aims to tap into the state’s sporting potentials and contribute significantly to its IGR through an organized football league.

In light of the high unemployment rate in the state, the Abia State Government has partnered with Fifty-1 Alliance, a sports and entertainment asset management outfit, to establish the Abia State Supalig, Nigeria’s first statewide football league. This Public Private Partnership is aimed at creating opportunities and promoting economic growth in the state.

The Abia State Supalig will consist of nine teams, with three teams representing each of the state’s three senatorial zones. The league will feature 72 matches per season, and there will be a prize money of approximately N20 to N25 million to be shared among the clubs based on their finishing positions.

To ensure the smooth running of the Supalig, an eight-member League Management Committee (LMC) has been constituted. The committee includes the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development as the Chairman, members from Fifty-1 Alliance, private football club owners, and experienced sports and football administrators.

By organizing the Supalig, the Abia State Government aims to reduce youth unemployment by engaging the youth in football, football business, and media productions. Additionally, the Supalig is expected to boost the state’s IGR, promote balanced development, and maximize the utilization of existing sporting facilities like the Enyimba International Stadium and the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Private football club owners in Aba have expressed their optimism about the Abia Supalig, recognizing it as an opportunity to transform the fortunes of the state in terms of sports employment and talent exports. They believe that the Supalig will bring about a new era of business-oriented football and contribute to the economic growth of Aba.

The Abia Supalig is seen as an innovative move that will introduce professionalism and organization in the domestic football landscape of the state. With proper planning, presentation, and management, the Supalig has the potential to market and showcase local talents, attract sponsors, and create a thriving football industry in Abia State.

Overall, the establishment of the Abia State Supalig represents a significant step towards leveraging the state’s sporting potentials, reducing unemployment, and boosting the economy through football.