IFA: History, as Ekumenyi DC emerges winner of 2023 trophy

By Nwogha Andy, Abakaliki

Ekumenyi Development Center has defeated Abakaliki to make a history of first time scaling successfully from group stage and emerged winner of Izzi Football Association, IFA super league 2023. The Development Center defeated Abakaliki on 4-3 penalty shoot out at Community Secondary School Nwofe Agbaja on Tuesday.

This is equally as Ebonyi defeated Igbeagu DC on 1-0 to emerged third position respectively. Addressing the winner of the league, the governor of Ebonyi state and sponsor of 2023 IFA super league, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru commended all the participating teams and described their performances as incredible.

The governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports,Hon Ricard Idike noted that the football competition is in line with the state government’s policy of youth engagement which is anchored in people's Charter of Needs agenda. He explained further that the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led government is committed to promoting progammes that would project the well-being of the youth since the future of the state lies in their proper upbringing especially as it concerns sports. He enjoined the participating players to be focus in their football career as the state governor has put all necessary measures in place as to ensure that the state football team is floated as soon as possible. On his part, the chairman of the event, Mr Chikaodili Ojemba commended IFA for the great initiative and for their sustainance of the football club since inception and prayed that the sponsor, governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru would continue giving them support. The chairman who described sports as boundary breaker, added that the competition would go a long way to reducing crime among the youths, while exposing them to football sports career's choice. Lending his voice, the national president Unwuekumenyi Welfare Association, Dr Akpaegu Cletus while donating a cup to the winner of the 2nd position applauded Izzi Football Association for the annual event and pledged to continue supporting the club.

Earlier, the national president Izzi Football Association, IFA,Barr Boniface Ezeagu appreciated governor Francis Nwifuru for his continuous support since he was speaker of the state assembly and described the 2023 season as one of their best outings. Ezeagu, however thanked the Council chairmen of Izhi extraction for the solidarity and support and appealed on Sports enthusiasts in the state to come to their aid as to reawakened some of their activities including the academia football competition. The tournament attracted numerous dignitaries, including Council chairman of Abakaliki, Hon Ebere Nwogba, Hon Stephen Nwankpa, of Izzi LGA, Hon Chinedu Emenike, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on youth mobilization;Hon Victor Nwoke Member EBHA, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.