The Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) has expressed its deepest condolences to the Ubah family as they mourn the passing of distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a former Chairman of the State FA.
News of the death of Senator Ubah, who served as ANSFA Chairman from 2016 to 2020, went viral on Saturday, July 27.
He passed away in London at the age of 52.
In a statement from board member and Head of the Media Committee, Ralph Chidozie George, Chairman Chief Chikelue ‘General’ Iloenyosi, speaking with a heavy heart, said, “This is a heavy blow; the big Iroko of the game in our State, Nigeria, and Africa at large has fallen.”
“We at the FA are saddened by the news, but we can only pray that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest.
“I commiserate with his immediate family and with the football fraternity in our State.”
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was a dedicated supporter of football and contributed immensely to the progress of the game in Anambra State and the nation.
As Chairman of the Anambra State FA, he initiated several commendable grassroots programs for the growth of the game, including his pet project ‘1 Family, 1 Footballer,’ which aimed to encourage children across Ndi Anambra, Nigeria, and Africa to excel in football.
He was the proprietor of the now-defunct FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which won the NEROS PHARM/Anambra FA Cup for four consecutive years from 2015 to 2018, and the Federation Cup in 2016, advancing to continental competitions.
He built the FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in his hometown of Nnewi, where his team played its home matches.
“He was a man who invested his money in the growth of the game and sponsored many soccer events up to the national level,” said Vice Chairman of Anambra FA, Chief Victor Aniekwena.
“I was in Russia during the 2018 World Cup when he launched his pet project ‘1 Family, 1 Footballer,’ and even the FIFA President, who was present, was impressed,” Aniekwena added.
