Further to driving his childhood passion in football, Obibi-Ochasi in Orlu LGA of Imo State born South Africa-based lawyer, Chief Marcel Amarachukwu Okafor has established a football academy under his local sports club called Obiekulie United FC.
In an online media chat with Business Hilights, Chief Okafor revealed that his involvement in football dates far back to his days in Secondary at Ihiteowerri when he served as Senior Prefect and also in the years 2013 to 2019, when he established, coached and sponsored an Amateur Football Club in Germiston, South Africa, called GERMISTON HIGHLANDERS FC.
He revealed that “During my reign as the Coach and Sponsor, this Germiston Highlanders competed with honour and dignity at the Super League Division under South Africa Football Association (SAFA) EKURHULENI REGION.
“It was during this period that it occurred to me that I need to transfer the vision to my people back home, as they have been facing unending marginalization in spheres of life, even from our own Imo State Government.
“In 2020, as a result of the Lockdown, I resigned as the Coach and Sponsor of Germiston Highlanders FC in order to focus more on my newly established Law Firm.
FORMATION OF OBIEKULIE UNITED FC
“Notwithstanding my resignation from grassroots Football Development in South Africa, I still nurture the ambition to establish a Football Academy in my Hometown of Ochasiato, as a way of giving back to the community the nurtured me.
“This desire has been burning unquenchably in me, however, I have unable execute my plans since then as a result of the unprecedented insecurity that had befallen in our place since 2021.
“As an indigene of Ochasiato who happens to live abroad for almost two and half Decades, it saddens me that our very own Imo State Government have abandoned Primary Education and Youth Development to the rot.
“During the past years, I have taken time to visit all the Primary and Secondary Schools in Ochasiato, and I can attest none of those schools could meet the lowest standards or threshold of an institution of early learning and youth development. All the schools in Ochasiato have dilapidated before the eyes of the Government and our inactive Town Unions. The resultant effect of this unconscionable neglect is that our young ones (due to lack of sporting activities) are engaging in immoral and criminal activities, as a readily-available alternatives.
Continuing, Chief Okafor disclosed that “During the second week of January 2026, I received unannounced visit at my Village Residence by the 2025/26 Champions of OCHASIATO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (O.F.A). These Champions were led to my house by their Coach (MR. KELVIN IHEANACHO UZOMA).
“As a Football Devotee, their visit reignited my subtly-subdued vision of establishing a Football Academy in Ochasiato. Upon presenting my vision to Coach Kelvin (whom I only met on that day for once in life), he and his Senior Players, who were present bought the idea of having a strong, healthy, well-managed and well-founded Football Academy in Ochasiato. Consequently, OBIEKULIE UNITED FC was established.
Giving insights on the OBJECTIVE OF OBIEKULIE UNITED FC, the South Africa based lawyer noted that “The establishment of OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy is primarily aimed at transforming lives in our poor and rural communities of Ochasiato and Orlu axis, through structured football development, educational support, and social empowerment.
Above all, the core objective of OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy is to discover, develop, and empower young talents in our rural and disadvantaged communities through football, education, and character development, thereby building future leaders on and off the pitch. The academy will serve as a centre of hope, discipline, and opportunity for young people as follows:
- Grassroots Talent Discovery and Development
1.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to identify and nurture talented young footballers in rural and underserved communities who lack access to professional training facilities.
1.2. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy will provide:
(a) structured football training programmes;
(b) qualified coaching and mentorship
(c) Exposure to competitive matches and scouting opportunities
- Youth Empowerment and Character Building
2.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC intends to use football as a tool to instill discipline, leadership,
teamwork, and self-confidence among children and youths.
2.2. The academy will focus on developing not only skilled players but responsible and morally
upright individuals.
- Promotion of Education and Academic Excellence
3.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC intends to encourage education alongside sports by:
(a) Promoting school attendance
(b) Providing mentorship and academic guidance
(c) Supporting a balance between football and academics
(d) Ensuring that every child especially in Ochasiato and Orlu Axis has a future beyond football.
- Reduction of Crime and Social Vices
4.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to engage idle youth in productive sporting activities, thereby reducing:
(a) Crimes;
(b) Drug abuse;
(c) Cultism and delinquency; and
(d) All forms of indiscipline in our surrounding communities.
4.2. By keeping young people actively involved in sports, OBIEKULIE UNITED FC will provide a positive alternative lifestyle.
- Health, Fitness, and Mental Well-being
5.1. Through this academy, OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed improve the physical and mental health of young people through:
(a) Regular training and fitness programmes;
(b) Healthy lifestyle education
(c) Recreational sporting activities.
- Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
6.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to provide equal access to football development irrespective of financial background; Social status; or Gender.
6.2. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy will ensure that talented children are not excluded from
sporting and football activities due to poverty.
- Community Development and Social Unity
7.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to promote peace, unity, and community building through
football by:
(a) Organising local tournaments and outreach programmes
(b) Engaging parents and community leaders
(c) Using sports as a platform for social cohesion.
- Career Pathways and Professional Exposure
8.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to create pathways for talented players to:
(a) Join professional clubs
(b) Earn football scholarships
(c) Participate in regional, national, and international competitions.
- Provision of Safe and Structured Recreational Environment
9.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to provide a safe, disciplined, and well-supervised environment where children can train, learn, and grow away from negative societal influences.
- Job Creation and Economic Impact
10.1. OBIEKULIE UNITED FC aimed to contribute to community development by creating
opportunities for:
(a) Coaches and trainers
(b) Administrative staff
(c) Sports volunteers and officials
(d) Core Vision Statement
Explaining more on the ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR OBIEKULIE UNITED FC ACADEMY, Chief Marcel Okafor averred that “To successfully achieve its mission of youth development and community transformation, OBIEKULIE UNITED
FC Academy respectfully seeks strategic support and partnership from the Government at local, state, and national levels.
He argued that “Government partnership with OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy will not only promote grassroots football but also advance youth empowerment, education, crime reduction, and community development in rural and underserved areas. Such collaboration will contribute meaningfully to national sports development and social progress.
He therefore listed key areas where government assistance will significantly enhance the impact of the academy:
- Provision of Sports Facilities across the schools in Ochasiato:
1.1. Government support in building community sports fields will enable the academy to:
(a) Establish training and recreational facilities
(b) Create a safe environment for youth development
- Infrastructure Development Support:
2.1. Assistance in the construction or upgrade of essential facilities such as:
(a) Football pitch and training ground
(b) Changing rooms and toilets
(c) Mini gym and fitness center
(d) Borehole/water supply and lighting systems
- Financial Grants and Funding
3.1. Government grants or youth development funding will help the academy:
(a) Provide free or subsidised training for underprivileged children
(b) Purchase football equipment and kits
(c) Organise tournaments and community outreach programmes
(d) Support operational and administrative costs
- Equipment and Technical Support
4.1. Support through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in the provision of:
(a) Football kits, boots, and training gear
(b) Coaching equipment
(c) Technical training resources
(d) Capacity-building workshops for coaches
- Coaching and Capacity Development Programmes
5.1. Government-sponsored coaching certification and training programmes will:
(a) Improve the quality of coaching staff
(b) Align the academy with national football standards
(c) Promote long-term player development
- Inclusion in Government Youth and Sports Programmes
6.1. Official recognition and inclusion of OBIEKULIE UNITED FC Academy in government sports initiatives and grassroots programmes will:
(a) Provide exposure and scouting opportunities
(b) Enable participation in state and national competitions
(c) Strengthen credibility and institutional growth
- Educational Support and Scholarships
7.1. Government collaboration with educational agencies to provide:
(a) Scholarships for talented players
(b) School support programmes
(c) Educational partnerships for student-athletes
- Transportation Support
8.1. Provision of a bus or transport support to enable:
(a) Movement of players to competitions
(b) Inter-community football engagements
(c) Safe transportation for young athletes
- Security and Child Protection Support
9.1. Government assistance in ensuring:
(a) Safe sporting environment
(b) Child protection policies
(c) Community security during training and tournaments
- Public Recognition and Policy Support
10.1. Official endorsement and policy backing from relevant government agencies will:
(a) Increase visibility and legitimacy
(b) Attract sponsors and development partners
(c) Encourage community participation.
