By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR*)
Dubai based Gulf United football coach and chief scout, Marcello Anyanwu has been awarded the Royal Award of honour
The tactician who has successfully led the United Arab Emirates club to Nigeria in 2021 & 2024 to help create pathways for young Nigerian football talents was conferred with the “ODOGWU N’NMERI FOOTBALL N’ALA OYIBO” by HRM Eze Amb (Dr) Marcel Okwadikesinachi Egemonu, Ebi of Ebikoro Kingdom.
The 2022 NFF Presidential aspirant’s immense contribution to his community and Nigeria at large cannot go unnoticed through the years.
It was a moment of exhilarating joy and excitement in the ancient community of Ebikoro Kingdom as the hardworking and son of Ikeduru Local Government, Coach Marcello Anyanwu received a distinguished Royal Award of Excellence in Imo State.
Decorated with a title of *Odogwu N’nmeri Football N’ala Oyibo by HRM Eze Amb(Dr) Marcel Okwadikesinachi Egemonu, Ebi of Ebikoro Kingdom* it was described as a deserving honour to an outstanding gaffer who resides in United Arab Emirates but has a huge affinity with kinsmen owing to the number of players tranported abroad from Nigeria through him. The entire Community was in jubilant mood as wild ecstasy was written all over the faces of the old and young celebrating the humble tactician.
It could be recalled that the former Arsenal soccer school coach has donated football kits to various schools in Imo state without media hype
Presenting the award to the UAE based tactician, the Ebi of Ebikoro Kingdom noted that the soft spoken coach is a pride to the entire community owing to his contributions in building the youths in the area.
According to the Eze, “We are thrilled to celebrate a great man with incredible influence who has achieved a monumental stride in our community, We will announce him to the world in October 2024 during our 20th anniversary of Ebikoro Kingdom
” He is in deed a cornerstone of our community and today he has been honored with a prestigious award recognising his remarkable achievement and dedicated zeal in building the youths in the entire community”
He added that:”This award is a testament to Marcello’s unwavering commitment and hard work to the cause of this Community and neighbouring areas and it’s time to give honour to whom honour is due.”
“Congratulations and double congratulations,I will announce you immensely at the 20 years anniversary on the Throne of Ebi kingdom and the Iri-Ji HRH Eze Ebi Annual new yam cultural festival fixed for October 2024”
“We are incredibly grateful for everything you have done for us and we will continue to celebrate your invaluable contributions to our community and of course the entire local government”, Says Ebi of Ebikoro
Receiving the award on behalf of Marcello by his Uncle Mr Francis Acholonu at the palace , he appreciated the entire members of Ebikoro Community for finding his nephew worthy of the award and he noted that it will further spur him to do more.
“Our family are extremely overwhelmed by this recognition from our people and of course Ebikoro Community and the kingdom under HRM Dr Eze”
“This award means a lot to me and I appreciate the entire community, the leaders of my clans and particularly HRM Ez Ambassador Okwadikesinachi Egemonu, Ebi of Ebikoro Kingdom.”
“You have shown me more love with this award and this will serve as precious moments that will continue to linger in my memories.What an honour “. He enthusiastically assured
