..As Ohaji/Egbema PDP Assembly Hopeful, Emeka Ben Lauds Umuapu Youths
It was indeed a climax ending for the maiden edition of the Umugbuehi United Brothers Unity Football Competition for teams in Umuapu in Ohaji/Egbema LGA on Sunday.
The final which was held at Central School field, Umuapu saw Mgbungwu FC peep United Family 5-4 on penalties after the regulation time had ended 1-1.
Addressing the mammoth crowd who witnessed the epic final match, the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Imo State House of Assembly candidate for Ohaji/Egbema state Constituency, Hon Emeka Ben commended the youths of Umuapu for maintaining exhibiting high level of discipline during the entire duration of the tournament noting.
While also appreciating the sponsors of the competition for uniting their resources to foster peace and unity in their community as well as to empower the young talented Players noted that the essence of the competition is to also help expose that talents at the grassroots through the scouts who saw the game and made their observations with some players selected for future progression.
He promised that when elected into the state Assembly that he will not just improve the support for youth empowerment in the LGA through sports but will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that more players from the area are helped to actualize their professional soccer dream just as Kelechi Iheancho of Liecester City in England and supported the sponsors with a N40,000 cash reward to the winners.
In their remarks, the Chairman of LOC, Mr Nwagbara Hycenth Chika and his Secretary, Mr Chukwuemeka Lemonwu said the donors, Hon Ogbuehi Bethel, Hon Ajoku Chidiebere, Hon Udoka, Hon Chukwuma Azuoma and Hon Nwali Uchenna have promised to make the tournament an annual event.
They further disclosed that 15 teams entered for the tournament which was eventually won by Mgbungwu with United Brothers coming second while Umuehikebide emerged came 3rd.
The winners, Mgbungwu smiled home with the sum of N200,000, as United Family pocketed N150,000.
The 3rd place team got N100,000 just as a consolation prize of N50,000 went to the 4th placed team.
