Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
Mixed reaction has continued to trail the official naming of the newly acquired Ebonyi State Football Team, Abakaliki FC, with the nickname, De Rice Boys.
While a section of sports lovers in the State has condemned the name describing it as unsustainable and demeaning others believe the name is quite suitable for the football team as it represents the State.
The different social media platforms yesterday went agog following the unvailing of the football club and the subsequent schedule of its first league match with the Lagos based football club, Mediba FC Lagos.
Some of the sports lovers who reacted to the naming of the football team, Abakaliki FC argued that the most suitable name should have been Ebonyi FC and nicknamed, Salt City FC.
Mr. Hydro Aloh who took to the social media wrote: “My own problem is not even the RICE BOYS
My problem is why ABAKALIKI FC instead of EBONYI FC because Abakaliki is a Capital of Ebonyi state and Abakaliki is also a name of One local government in Ebonyi.
The best name would have been EBONYI FC With the RICE BOYS no problem.
Mr. Solomon Nweke wrote; I have said it always. The persons who suggested the name to the Governor are enemies of the State, making us look too local and unreasonable. The name do not even collaborate the whole state EBONYI, but ABAKALIKI which is a section of Ebonyi. Is it state owned or private owned?.
“Come to think of Rice boys. If we want to promote our rice,why not RICE CITY BOYS?. Agboros have been involved in this naming ceremony.
But in a swift reaction, Mr. Gideon Nweke wrote; The truth is that we hate ourselves. Some are against the name “Abakaliki FC” just because Abakaliki is there and they don’t want to associate with the name because they are not proud of their origin but those same persons support Manchester United, Birmingham city, PSG which are also names of places.
Rice is our identity, same as salt too. There is nothing wrong promoting our origin and identity through sports.
A former House of Representative, Engr. Peter Edeh wrote; “We are known more with rice than with salt. When you mention salt, Dangote comes to mind instead of Ebonyi; but, when you mention (local) rice, the first name that jumps at you is Abakaliki. So, it is apt if Abakaliki FC is nicknamed “The Rice City Boys”.
Another football lover, Paschal Igum wrote; For those that doesn’t like the name, do well and establish your own club, then name it anything you wish. RICE BOYS have come to stay.
In his reaction, Mr. Nnabuike Collins commended the State Government for the name, “I don’t see anything wrong with the name,river state own football club is code name sharks of port Harcourt,but it’s generally own by rivers people and calling out boys rice boys is not a bad idea.delta football club is called warri Wolf,so nothing is wrong with it…we should be appreciative of the governor for first in history establishing a football club. Nnabuike collins
The State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr, Jude Okpor while also reacting to the naming wrote, “How many local government areas of the state do we have salt lake? Yet you do not have an issue with ‘Salt of the Nation’. Rice, a stable food world over, grown in all the nooks and crannies of the state has given Ebonyi a unique identity. Abakaliki Rice is a brand sought after locally and beyond. We should be proud of our root and identity. Ends
