The Chioma Ajunwa Foundation, in partnership with Lily Legend Sports Academy, is making steady strides in grassroots sports development, with a focus on empowering young talents across Nigeria. Their latest initiative saw 25 girls selected from Aguata in Anambra State after an intensive training program, as part of a broader effort to groom future champions in both character and athletic skill.
At the heart of this initiative is Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, Nigeria’s golden icon, the first and only African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics, and a former World Cup footballer with the Nigerian women’s national team. She knows what it means to rise from obscurity to global acclaim, and she’s determined to make that path less lonely for the next generation.
The coordinator of Lily legends sports academy, Amarachi Lilian Ezeabasi, who is also an ex- football player with the Nigerian women’s team and also an ex- international footballer, The Chioma Ajunwa Foundation, in partnership with Lily Legend Sports Academy, is making steady strides in grassroots sports development, with a focus on empowering young talents across Nigeria. Their latest initiative saw 25 girls selected from Aguata in Anambra State after an intensive training program, as part of a broader effort to groom future champions in both character and athletic skill.
Ezeabasi noted that the program isn’t about a flash-in-the-pan excitement but a long-term investment aimed at producing world-class athletes.
With the support of a benefactor, Chibuike Ofobuike, the girls are now set to begin a new phase of professional training in Lagos. From logistics to accommodation and training kits, everything has been put in place to ensure their growth is uninterrupted and impactful.
The partnership isn’t just limited to girls. It has already helped 10 boys secure training and placements in professional clubs across countries like Portugal, Romania, Brazil, and others in Asia. These outcomes show the potential of grassroots sports not only as a talent pool but also as a tool for youth development and social change.
At the core of this mission is the belief that sports can uplift communities, provide structure, and guide young people away from harmful influences. The two organizations are now calling for greater support from government bodies and philanthropists to scale this vision nationwide.
With consistent commitment and collaboration, their efforts continue to shape a future where young Nigerians, regardless of background, can dream bigger and achieve more through sports.
