On August 9, 2024, Enyimba FC announced the launch of a Family Stand at the stadium. According to the statement, this is designed to bring families and loved ones together. This is part of the many changes the Kanu Nwankwo led administration is trying to bring to the table.
This family stand is a step in the right direction. Football is communal. The players and administrators all come from a family and it is fitting to dedicate a stand to family, a place where it all began.
From the cradle of the club, to when they started winning laurels, families have had a hand in building its fanbase and raising a generation of supporters. For some people, they became fans of the club because their parent(s) took them to the stadium many times and as time passed by, it became of their lives and to date, they have always come to see the Elephants at the Elephants Park.
Family represents home, unity and peace. Hence, the family stand should accentuate the core qualities listed above. There should also be incentives for people who come with their families and if possible, the club may design special family tickets for fans who wish to buy as families.
It is always a good sight to see children at the stadium in different competitions and seeing them on TV brings some calmness to the soul. No wonder, children are used as mascots in various competitions to epitomize peace, fair play and innocence.
It is just the right time for families to get involved in the Enyimba project as the next generation of supporters are bred.
Enyimba are pace setters in Nigerian football and this initiative is a laudable one. With the season slated to begin on September 1, the family stand will definitely be a cynosure of all eyes as voices of loved ones sitting together echo in celebrations and support for their beloved club, for the People’s Elephants.
