Ex-governor Nwobodo, Enugu-South LG Chairman, Hon. Ani rate Unity Cup Football championships high

…As Ward 8 lift trophy, beat Ward 3 by 5 – 4

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

Former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo and the Chairman of the Enugu-South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. Caleb Ani, have scored high the finals of the Unity Cup championships played at Obeagu community on Thursday.

The grand finale which was between youths from Ward 8 and Ward 3 and watched by mammoth crowd, saw the gallants boys from Ward 8 lifting the cup after a 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes duration. The local derby snowballed into penalty shootouts that ended in 5-4.

Hon Ani, who single-handedly sponsored the tournament, said that they organized the game for a talent hunt as well as to unite the people of his council area the more.

The local government chairman stated that he would continue to sustain the tournament as well as encourage other sports activities so long as he remained the council boss.

According to him, “The tournament is something that is targeted to ensure that the youths of Enugu South are united. As you can see the turn up of the youths in this field, it shows a sign of unity as you can see the joy and degree of songs around the field. That is the purpose and target of this activity.

“I am a sportsman myself from my youth. So long as I remain the chairman of the Council, I will continue to partner with sports activities, not just football.

Appraising the tournament, Senator Nwobodo whose presence electrified the football arena, urged the youths to take sports serious, stressing that sports is capable of lifting them high in the society.

Nwobodo, an Ex-Sports Minister said he was impressed with the sportsmanship and quality of play exhibited by the players, predicting that some of them might play in the national team and even go international.

“I am predicting that one of the players will go national and international,” he said, pointing out that former Super Eagles Skipper, Kanu Nwankwo was thus catapulted high.

Also speaking, the SPA on Youths and Sports to the Executive Chairman of Enugu-South Local Government Area, Edennamani Nobel Chijioke, expressed joy at the way the tournament ended peacefully.

He thanked the council chairman for sponsoring the Unity Cup, saying that, “it is welcome development because it has given our youths the opportunity to showcase that which God has deposited in them.”

His words: “The Executive Chairman of Enugu South local government has followed the footsteps of our dear governor H.E. Barr. Peter Ndubisi Mba in impacting in life of our youth and setting the pace especially in the area of sports. The tournament has kept our youths busy, away from engaging in stealing or robbery as idleness is a contributing factor.

“The chairman has equally assured that he will do his best in continuing to uplift the hidden potential in our Youths.He also know that sports is a very lucrative business.

High Chief Emma Ugwu in an interview with Daily News Nigeria Correspondent, commended the local government chairman, Ani for powering the tournament in such a marvellous way.

“I am highly impressed with what I saw here. The organisation is excellent. The players and the officiating were fantastic. The players have good sense of the round leather. If the players continue and remain focused, they will go higher in football game.

This reporter observed that the overall champions, Ward 8 were given a cash award of one million Naira (N1m) while the first runners up got a prize money of N500,000.00 as well as the second runners up that got the sum of N250,000.00 consolation prize.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.