A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), JM9 Football Foundation, has introduced an annual football competition to the Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, as part of their leisure activities.
Founder of the NGO, John Anyanwu, who said this at the maiden football competition organised for the children at the home, said the gesture was to make them feel belonged.
The competition saw Team Blue defeating Team Red by a lone goal in the keenly contested match.
Anyanwu said children at such homes needed to be cared for to enable them have a sense of belonging and also bond with people from the outside world.
“I am 19 years old in age and I started this foundation because I love football, and I love taking care of people,” he said.
According to Anyanwu, the foundation is working to ensure that the children in the home combine education and sports so as to be mentally and physically fit.
“In the United States, students get sports scholarships to go to school and at the same time do what they love while learning.
“So I came up with this because I’m in that situation; I go to school and I play football as well.
“I have been cultured since I was a small boy to do positive things in people’s lives, and this is why I came up with this foundation.”
“And I sourced the funding for this project through crowdfunding, donations, partnership and sponsorships from different government and private organisations.
He said plans were in the pipeline to make the competition national and also involve orphanages from the 36 states of the country and the FCT.
Felix Inaede, the Accountant of the children’s home who spoke on behalf of the management said ”events of this magnitude go a long way to make the children feel at home.”
Inaede said the event had now become part of the home’s calendar of activities.
“The Federal Government and FCT administration have done so much to maintain this children’s home with the support of some NGOs.
“You will not know how joyful it is to work with these children until you come here. When you have up to 70 children calling you daddy, you have no option than to embrace them.
“It is difficult to see a father with 70 children but unknowingly you become one in Abuja Children’s Home and you have no option than to do more than is expected of you.
“I do not have the opportunity to be in the Nigeria Football Federation but today’s event gave me opportunity to feel what football looks like.
“We have Christians and Muslims in this home, so, we are one happy family. And we commend the JM9 Foundation for this opportunity,” Inaede said.
One of the volunteers, Joshua Alebieu, said he participated in the programme because he loved to give back to the community.
Alebieu described Anyanwu as a bosom friend who he would always want to assist in whatever task he indulged in.
Samuel Solomon who led his side (Team Blue) to victory said it was an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Solomon commended the organisers for finding the Abuja Children’s Home worthy of the gesture.
“My team will cherish this trophy all the time,” he said.
Emmanuel Shagari, captain of the losing side (Team Red) said they would work hard to win next time.
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