…moves to promote sports business, merchandising in Abia
CHUKWUEBUKA OHIZU
Abia State government and its partner, Fifty-1 Alliance, a sports promotion company on Thursday officially launched ₦10 million 2025 season (maiden) edition of the Fifty-1 Alliance Abia State Football Supalig 5-a-Side Championship.
The event which took place at the Fifty-1 Alliance Sports Centre, Umuafor Aba, jave been described as an epic even t that has introduced Abia into sports business that will be leveraging on Aba to boost its economy through sports merchandising.
Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, Abia State Commissioner of Sports has announced that the state government is in partnership with Fifty-1 to ensure that sports is treated as a huge business not just a leisure or entertainment.
He described the launching of the official
launch of the Fifty-1 Alliance Abia State Football Supalig 5-a-Side Championship as an epic achievement that has come to change the football landscape of the state, ushering in the move for business football into the state.
The Commissioner said that when he came on board, he inherited a lot of rots and neglect in sports, but today, Abia have changes in various places that now makes him believe that the state can bring sports economic zone within it by leveraging on what is happening in Aba.
“We’re thinking of sports as a business. Sports is not just jumping, running and getting medals. There’s a business behind it and that’s why athletes in America, Europe and the rest of the world make huge sums of money every week. So, we’re thinking on that direction.”
Nwaobilor said that sports merchandising is the what Abia is moving into as its already making shoes, jerseys, sports apparels and other collections in Aba that is sold abroad.
“So, we want to leverage on that and start making sports merchandise in terms of football boots, football trainers and other sporting equipments.
“We just finished the NDDC Sports Festival in Uyo and we confirmed that what we wore were all made in Aba and we can do better by supporting them to get into the bigger business for sports and economic growth.
“Most times, the ones from China is cheaper here because of their mass production style, but we’re aware that when we support manufacturers here and they begin to go into mass production, in another five years, we’ll be like China may be even better.
“The Commissioner said that the big advantage that Supalig 5-a-Side Championship will have a big advantage because of the live broadcast of the matches, which he said will go along way in future in raising the funds needed to keep the league running.”
Speaking further, the Commissioner said that
another way to make money in Europe, America and the the rest of the world in sports is sports broadcasting.
“This is where we’re going. Abia Supalig will be a big league but we want to start small and take everything step by step. Now that the games will have a live broadcast commentary, we believe it’s a stepping stone to growth because one day, a bigger broadcasting package will come for the league and it’ll get better.
“So, whatever they do abroad, especially in Europe. That football they play there is exactly what we’re playing here.
“Our only problem is that we’re not doing that small thing like broadcasting to make what we’re doing down here popular through broadcasting which will take the football to people’s doorsteps at homes and offices.
“So, that’s what the Abia State government in partnership with Fifty-1 Alliance is bringing. I think our partners have done a fantastic work, watch the space and in a couple days, you’ll see where we’ll be
“When on a Saturday afternoon, you sit-in front of TV to watch English teams, the reason is because someone went to all the 93 football clubs in league 1, Leagu 2, Championship and Premier League to collect all the contents and sell it to a broadcaster who’ll pay them in millions.
“From there they the Football Association who are the organizing body of the leagues you’re watching. They’ll now give some percentage to the clubs, as well as some percentage to the players who are the actors in the field.
“This is why a player can earn £300,000, £200,000 weekly in the Premier League. These money are not coming from weekly stadium match revenue alone. The broadcasting is the power, because the league gets all its huge finance from there.
“This is where we’re going. Abia Supalig will be a big league but we want to start small and take everything step by step. Now that the games will have a live broadcast commentary, we believe it’s a stepping stone to growth because one day, a bigger broadcasting package will come for the league and it’ll get better.”
Nwaobilor congratulated the Chairman of Fifty-1 Alliance, describing him as a fighter who is very determined to get whatever plans he hsd into reality.
“I’m certain a day like this will come but I didn’t know it’ll be this soon. I believe in his doggedness. He’s a man of the people and sports loving man.
“Also let me thank the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti for his unwavering support to sports development in Abia State from grassroots to elite sports. We’re grateful.”
Chairman, Fifty-1 Alliance, Mr Dike Dimiri said that the company is among those that was attracted to invest in Abia through the sound leadership of Governor Alex Otti which has assured many people that it is safe to invest in Abia State.
He also thanked Governor Alex Otti for appointing a worthy sports commissioner, describing Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba as a round peg in a round hole, who has enabled the company to achieve most of its target since moving into the state.
Explaining the league in details, Dimiri said,
“The system is very simple. It has a prize of ₦10 million which will be shared evenly across the 8 clubs that’ll be participating. The league features has been released.
“Each match is going to be 40 minutes. The Abia State referees association will be involved. There is nothing that will be done at the Supalig that’ll not be official.
“What we’re hoping is that as we progress, we’ll be able to take a data base of allowing to know when he started playing and all of that. Most importantly, what we need most is exposure.
“We need exposure from all ramifications be it social media and conventional media. What we’ve done is to arrange for a live broadcast of the five-a-side Supalig to be on YouTube and on Radio. In a matter of days now, we’ll also launch the website.
“So, any footballer who’s participating in the Supalig will get maximum exposure. Above all, we believe that every player should be paid and every club owner should experience some reward from their Investment and that’s why we’ve put up that prize money of ₦10 million.
“There’s no relegation in this League. The day you get tired of managing your club, you get a buyer and sell the club you. It’s not an asset you own for life. You’re free to sell and focus on other things. That’s the mentality we’re bringing to football.”
Dike further equally announced that there is really something humongous happening in Abia State sports aside from what Fifty-1 Alliance Five-a-side Supalig league, stressing that soon, Abia cycling tournament will come up.
“The train is about to leave the station and we can only encourage athlete and sports entrepreneur to join that train.
Sir, I’ve been in touch since yesterday with the Chairman of cycling association of Abia State as you directed and we’re about to show our people the 2025 Umuahia-Aba Cycling Tournament we’re just in the early stages and like we told you.”
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