Team Umudioka beat Team ACTDA 5-1 in the opening football match of the maiden Ife Igbo Awka Peace competition at the Awka Township Stadium.
Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, kicked off of the tournament, scheduled to end on Jan. 2, 2024.
Ife Igbo Awka Peace football competition tagged ‘Say No To Cultism’ is organised by Ossy Onuko, Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) in partnership with Jezco Oil Limited to foster unity and engender peace among villages in Awka.
Speaking to Journalists, Udeze said the competition was timely and aligned with the ‘Solution Agenda’ of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
The Speaker said he was pleased with the initiative of Onuko who engaged youths of Awka positively through sports.
“All that we are asking from the youth is to eschew violence and embrace peace.
“Football is the only game that brings all the tribes together; I believe this competition will bring more peace in Anambra State,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra, said peace was crucial to the development of the society.
Obiokoye said Anambra was enjoying relative peace and that he was impressed with the number of youths that would take part in the six weeks long football fiesta.
“This is commendable, no fewer than 500 youths will be part of it and you know what that means, a lot of them will be pulled out from the streets. So we encourage more of this.
“This is a great innovation in the right direction, this is good for conviviality, bonding and removing distraction among youths, it will definitely reduce crime,” he said.
Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, who watched the opening game, rated the standard as high.
Onyedum said the government was encouraging more individuals and the private sector to join in providing opportunities for talented youths in Anambra to compete.
On his part, Onuko said the competition involving 22 teams was a campaign against cultism and vices among youths.
The ACTDA MD said the winners of the competition would go home with prize money of N1 million, N500,000 and N300,000 for first, second and third place respectively.
He thanked the sponsors, Jezco Oil Limited for keying into the vision and urged players to abide by the rules.
Other dignitaries at the opening ceremony were Mr Chukwuma Okoye, Deputy Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, Mr Mike Ozoemena, MD, Anambra Waste Management Authority, Mr Feed Agbara, MD Anambra ICT Agency and Mr Uche-Collins Okoye
