Breaking:Onunwakpu Lion FC defeats Chukwu Ukpabi 4-0 to lift unity cup

By Nwogha Andy, Abakaliki

The Onunwakpu Lion FC has defeated the Chukwu Ukpabi football club 4-0 to lift the trophy in the 2023 2nd edition of Onunwakpu Unity Cup football competition. Performing the kick off at the Liberation Secondary School field, Onunwakpu Igbeagu, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi state, the sponsor of the competition and South Africa based business mogul, Mr Chukwuma Obeji thanked the 12 participating teams for their great performances.

Obeji who said that the football competition which is in its 2nd edition was floated as a way to engage the youths rightfully as to eschew from social vices. He explained that the football competition would served as avenue to harness career among youth of Ipfeigwe of Igbeagu autonomous community who would like to pursue career in the sector within and outside shore of the country.

"We started the Onunwakpu Igbeagu Unity Cup Football Competition last year, 2022 as a way to unite our people, though, football is all about fun but our mission is to raise our youth who will represent Izhi and Ebonyi people in the football world like Kanu Nwankwo and other successful footballers. "Onunwakpu Igbeagu is known as a place with talented players but our major challenge has been lack of sponsor and that gap I have come to fill as to change our narrative and am believing in your support to achieve the dream of pushing some players to big clubs and football academies. "While I appreciate the governor of the state for revamping the sporting sector,we are promising that we are going to complement what he has started by my continuous supporting our boys at both community competition and I am convinced that our next year's season will be more publicized as to attract our brothers from Mfuma and those areas once affected by communal rifts for that's the best way to build peace. he added.

Lending his voice,one of the stakeholders in the community and the chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Company , Mr Obeji Linus commended the organizer for his foresight in adequately engaging the youths in his area in meaningful enterprises and for considering football competition which according to him would create social cohesion and recreation among the youths. He said that the decision is in line with governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's people's charter of needs agenda in promoting peace and unity in all parts of the state and called on the community to continue supporting the government policies and programmes of the state. Also, a football enthusiast and Public Relation Officer of Izzi Football Association, IFA, Chief Jonas Ibaki lauded the initiative and appealed to the players to take advantage of the football competition and other sundry sporting activities in the state for self development.

The unity football competition attracted dignitaries from the community among Rev Dr Christopher Nwifuru, Kerian Ibaki, founder Real Madrid Football Academy Port Harcourt, River state, Nwoke Inyimegu, a successful man,Chief Benard Nkwuda Nwogba, Chief Benard Nkwuda,Christiana Nkwuda, mother of the sponsor, Hon Alex Uchenna Nkwuda among others. However, the most valuable player of the tournament, Ibaki Chidera, best player of the season,Mr Junior Ibaki and highest goal scorer of the season, Chidindu Okpalubo received sundry award. Meanwhile, the sponsor awarded the sum of 200,000 for the first position; Onunwakpu Lion football club, Chukwu Ukpabi took 2nd position and received #150,000, Nkaleke FC 3rd with #100,000 and Ohatekwe football club, 4th position with 50,000.