It was indeed a carnival and fun fare outing for the people of Ihitte & Isi-Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State last Sunday as the IGNALICE E Unity Football Competition for all the Villages in the area.
The tournament which kicked off at St Benignus Catholic Church in Ihitte Mbieri is powered by Hon Ugochukwu Nwokoro, a former Deputy Mayor of Newark in USA.
Hon Nwokoro who was represented by his brother, Hon Odunze during the official ceremonial kick off said he intends to unite the entire people of the area especially the youths through sports particularly football.
“It all started when in October, 2020, the Ihitte, Ishi-Mbieri Youths Association made a call for sponsors of their football tourney, that they usually play among the five villages of Ihitte, Ishi-Mbieri. I answered that call with the mindset that the game will be played in 2021 until few days later I was told it’s going to be for 2020. With that news, there’s a very short time for planning, so we had to rush to put the budget and all the logistics together. To the Glory of God I was able to pull off and I decided to make it and named it IGNALICE FOOTBALL CUP UNITY TOURNAMENT, in loving memory of my late parents, Mr Ignatius & Mrs Alice Nwaokoro, were from their two names came about the tournament name of Ignalice.
“After I committed to sponsor the tournament, I found out it’s more than just a football game, there’s a lot more good that could come out from the tournament for our youths. The tournament will give the youths something to keep them busy and out of trouble during this holiday seasons, it gives them something to look forward to, and to celebrate, a positive reason to gather and socialize.
“The winners and participating teams and players will go home with trophies, medals and consolation prizes like they have never known before. The tournament gives the players the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills to the world as talent scouts and agents would be on ground to watch the games as evidenced by the presence of football giants like Heartland F. C. coach Jonathan Ubanwa, during the kick match on December 13, 2020. The IGNALICE tournament is now seen in Ihitte, Ishi-Mbieri, as a thing to unite the community.
“The excitement of the Ihitte youths and the way the entire Ihitte, Ishi-Mbieri community has accepted IGNALICE FOOTBALL CUP UNITY TOURNAMENT, has made me to commit to doing the event annually, for the unity of Ihitte, Ishi-Mbieri, and in loving memory of my dear late parents! 2021 IGNALICE FOOTBALL CUP UNITY TOURNAMENT will even be a lot better and more grandiose, as we will have time to better plan to the glory of God!
In the opening encounter, Amaulu Village defeated Umunjam 1- 0 in a thrilling encounter before a jampacked St Benignus Catholic Church field in Ihitte Mbieri.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony of the tournament include; Rt Hon Okey Onyekanma, former Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly and member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency.
