From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia Governor Dr Alex Otti has feted players and management of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia over their performance during the 2023/2024 FA Cup competition.
The club made it to the finals of the competition where they finished as runner-up, the first in its history.
Otti, while congratulating the players, management and the board for making him and the State proud, added that the State Government will continue to support the club for improved performance and greater accomplishment.
The Governor said for him, the moment the club made it to the final, they had won, stressing that he was greatly delighted by the feat they achieved and expressed the hope that they will come back home with the trophy when next they are in the finals.
“Thank you very much for joining me to receive the gallant warriors of Abia Warriors. I was very pleased as I watched you inch to the finals.
“As far as I was concerned, when you got to the finals, you had won and the least that could happen was for you to be first runner up which is what you are.
“So when I listened to the chairman speak a little bit with regret, saying that luck ran out of you. I’m not too sure I can remember in recent times when you were the first runner-up. So, you came from the rear and you came second in the FA Cup. That’s a huge feat and I’m happy and I congratulate you”.
On behalf of the State Government, the Governor announced a donation of N30m to the players and personally gifted them N5m through the Alex Otti Foundation.
Former Chief of Army Staff Lt General Azubuike Ihejirika gave the club N10m, Sen. Darlington Nwaokocha gave out N5m while Chinedu Onyeizu gave them N2.5 million.