Municipal, Ikeduru To Kick-off Dame Emily-obiyo Memorial Cup
…Preliminary Matches to Begin March 16 at Ikeduru Center
All is now set for the official opening ceremony of the Dame Emily-Obiyo Memorial Football Competition organized to help fish out hidden talents in the Nine Local Government Areas that make-up Owerri zone.
According to a release made by the LOC after the official draw ceremony of the competition which took place at the Imo State Football Association Office in Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Friday February 28, the opening ceremony has been slated for Saturday March 15 at the Old Township Stadium in Owerri-Municipal and Municipal Council will engage Ikeduru (home of the donor) in a ceremonial game.
Addressing the press during the ceremony, the LOC chairman, Mr Ndubuisi Opara stated that the Nine LGA’s will alongside their officials take part in a match past to honor Late Dame Emily Obiyo while the donor, Chief Dr Uzoma Obiyo will take the salute.
In a brief remark, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports who was represented at the occasion by a director in the Ministry, Mr Ihesiba commended the donor for using sports to unite the good people of Owerri zone as well as help to curb social vices in the society.
He however admonished the participating teams to avail themselves of this opportunity to achieve greatness like Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha adding that the program is a youth empowerment program.
The Sports Council board chairman, High Chief Tony Ajaelu described the competition as a welcomed development stating that sports must not be run by government alone and called on other well-meaning Imolites to emulate Dr Obiyo in other to further take football and sports generally to a greater height in the state.
The climax of the ceremony was the over 50 phone/airtel registered line that was distributed free of charge to the members of the LOC, Youth Leaders and YSFON executives.
Meanwhile, at the end of the draws, Group A (Municipal) comprised of Mbaitoli, Owerr-North and Ikeduru; Group B (Ikeduru) is made-up of Municipal, Ahiazu and Aboh-Mbaise while Group C (Ahiazu) involves Ezinihitte, Owerri-West and Ngorokpala.
The fixtures further indicates that the group games will commence on Sunday March 16 at Ikeduru Center (Iho Stadium) were Municipal will take on Ahiazu with the next game at Ahiazu center (Chioma Ajunwa Stadium) between Ezinihitte and Owerri West as Municipal centers first game will see Mbaitoli battle Owerri-North at the Old Township Stadium.
Kanu undergoes successful heart surgery
…Thanks Jonathan for Centenary Award
Former Nigeria international, Nwankwo Kanu, has successfully undergone a corrective heart surgery at the weekend.
The surgery which was done at the Cleveland Hospital in Ohio, USA was carried out during one of his normal yearly routine medical check at the same hospital where he also had the 1997 career-saving heart surgery.
Coordinator of Kanu Heart Foundation, Onyebuchi Abia, confirmed that the surgery was successful and the that the former Arsenal and Inter Milan forward has since left the intensive care unit, ICU, of the hospital and is currently recuperating.
“He’ll be back home in a few day’s time, I spoke with him Sunday afternoon and he confirmed he’s in a stable condition,” Abia said in a statement.
Kanu also expressed his profound gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for the honour he was bestowed with during the Centenary Award Ceremony in Abuja.
“He also hailed the transformation agenda of the present administration in showing commitment to sports adding that he was humbled by the award and promised to continue his football ambassadorial work for the benefit of the country,” Abia quoted him as saying.
Mikel, Echiejile, early Arrivals for Mexico tie in Atlanta
Elderson Echiejile and John Mikel Obi were the first two players to hit Atlanta for Wednesday’s friendly match against Mexico
Mikel arrived along with Team Secretary Enebi Achor.
The rest of the squad, led by assistant coach Daniel Amokachi and NFF president Aminu Maigari, were expected to arrive later on Monday evening.
Travelling from Nigeria with the NFF officials were Ejike Uzoenyi, Kunle Odunlami, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Shehu Abdullahi.
Achor and Mikel will not be alone however, as the contingent from Nigeria also left on Sunday night The delegation which left Lagos for Atlanta is headed by NFF President Aminu Maigari, while Chairman, National Sports Commission and Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi is expected also for the game.
On the Delta Airline flight to the United States on Sunday were Assistant Coach Dan ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, Valere Houandinou and Ike Shorunmu, the goalkeepers’ trainer.
Team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, Physiotherapist, Wale Oladejo, Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun, Chidi Ngoka, who is the Equipment Manager, ACP Abubakar Baba, the Chief Security Officer, NFF Protocol man, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and Media Officer Ben Alaiya are also part of the team.
Four players are on the trip to the US, with CHAN2014 Man Of The Tournament, Ejike Uzoenyi, leading the likes of defence ace Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ebenezer Odunlami and midfielder, Shehu Abdulahi for the grade A friendly.
Wednesday’s friendly is expected to be played at the Atlanta Georgia Dome with both countries parading their potential World Cup squads for the encounter.
OBULUMBA CUP-SEMI:
5/3/14 Ndegwu — Umuanunu,
6/3/14 Eziobodo — Obinze
7/3/14 Ohii — Umudibia
10/3/14 Oforola — Umualum
FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP (Canada 2014)
Group A: Canada, Ghana, Finland, Korea DPR
GROUP B: Germany, USA, China, Brazil
Group C: England, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria
Group D: New Zealand, Paraguay, France, Costa Rica
DAME EMILY-OBIYO MEMORIAL CUP GAMES
16/3/14
Municipal — Ahiazu @ Ikeduru
18/3/14
Ezinihitte — O/West @ Ahiazu
20/3/14
Mbaitoli — O/North @ Municipal
22/3/14
Ahiazu — Aboh @ Ikeduru
24/3/14
O/West — Ngorokpala @ Ahiazu
26/3/14
O/North — Ikeduru @ Municipal
28/2/14
Aboh — Municipal @ Ikeduru
30/3/14
Ngorokpala — Ezinihitte @ Ahiazu
2/4/14
Ikeduru — Mbaitoli @ Municipl
NEW OWERRI DEVELOPMENT CUP RESULTS
28/3/14
Diamond Fc 0 0 Frackers City
1/4/14
Avaters Fc 1 2 Galaxy Fc
2/4/14
Bahama Fc 1 0 Sailors Fc
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES (5/4/14)
South Africa — Brazil
Montenegro — Ghana
B/Herzegovina — Egypt
Senegal — Mali
Turkey — Sweden
Belgium — CIV
Romania — Argentina
Ukrain — USA
Germany — Chile
England — Denmark
France — Holland
Portugal — Cameroon
