Tunji Adedeji
Sir George Eche , one of the leading gubernatorial aspirant and the Immediate past Secretary to the Government of Imo State last Friday concluded the 4th edition of a football tournament he sponsored for nine communities in his home town Obiangwu ,Ngor-Okpala council area of Imo state.
The competition which had nine participating communities was held at Obiangwu primary school in Ngor-Okpala, where Uche Nkwocha Kingsley scored the defending champion’s winning goal for Umuopara within the opening forty five minutes of the final. His less fancied side hung on for the remaining 45 minutes to claim victory
Sir Eche who donated jerseys ,football boots ,as well as well-equipped first aid boxes and more to each of the community teams taking part in the aptly-named ‘4th Edition of Ugwumba George Eche 2018 Obiangwu Unity Football Tournament’ also doled out a huge consolation prize to captains of each of the participating community teams that crashed out earlier .
Speaking after the closing formalities, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the All Progressive Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate in Imo state lauded Sir Eche’s initiative.
He said,” It is a very wonderful opportunity given to the communities. For Eche in his own wisdom to have organized this Sports Competition to encourage youths like this is laudable,”
Hope Uzodinma who was represented by Prof Placid Njoku advocated for more sponsorship at this level to see the consistency of such tournaments.
“I would encourage that we have more sponsors to ensure that this does not last for just one or two years. It is something we must see as a football discovery element. This is how great things start,” he added.
Cash prizes and individual awards were presented to deserving teams and individuals at the end of the Championship by Benziko Nwosu.
Umuopara ,the winning community, received a sum of N250,000 while Umunene the second got 200,000.Umuolulu, third position received N150,000 and the Umuene ,took fourth went home with 100,000.
Speaking shortly, Sir Eche said the two teams have made his people proud by given them best game since the inception of Obiangwu community.
He said “I assure you all the tournament will continue to be an annual event and will endure for long because it is his own way of giving back to the society.”
The Local Organizing Committee LOC, informed that the competition gulped no less than N10m, “as a huge sum of money was involved and given cost of logistics, trophy, medals and other materials.
Among dignitaries at Friday’s finals of the competition were Sir. George Eche himself, the Deputy Governorship candidate who represented Senator Hope Uzodinma, Dr .TOE Ekechi , Barr. Kingsley Ononuju ,Barr Enyinaya Iruegbu ,Chief Clement Nwaigwe ,Hon .Cliff Ogbede, Chief Benjamin Kajuru ,Chief Ndubuisi Eke ,Chief Bona Nwoke, Mr. Tony Eke, Nze Julian Nwogu among others too many to mention.
