The 2025/26 season of the Ezza Ezekuna Unity Cup kicked off on Saturday at the Onueke Township Stadium, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, with a strong call for peace, reconciliation, and unity across Ezza land and the state at large.
Declaring the tournament open, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu, described the competition as a powerful symbol of peace and brotherhood, designed to heal long-standing rifts and foster reconciliation among communities.
The tournament, sponsored by renowned real estate investor, Engr. Darlington Ugota, opened with a highly symbolic fixture between Abaomege and Ishinkwor—two communities previously embroiled in prolonged conflict.
Bishop Chukwu said the Unity Cup was deliberately conceived to promote harmony, stressing that the opening match carried deep significance.
“This is a unity cup, and we are here to register our unity, to express our brotherhood and sisterhood, and to show that we are one. All the little conflicts here and there should come to an end,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the encounter would mark the end of years of hostility between the two communities.
“A match between Abaomege and Ishinkwor, who have been locked in terrible conflicts for many years, is very symbolic. We hope this competition will usher in deep and lasting peace so that there will be no further hostility,” the bishop added.
Beyond peacebuilding, Bishop Chukwu also highlighted the tournament’s role in youth empowerment and talent discovery, commending the sponsor for creating opportunities for young footballers to excel.
“Some of our boys are very talented but lack encouragement. Through sports, you can attain greatness, not only through academics or business,” he noted.
The opening match ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw, a result Engr. Ugota described as “divine.” According to him, the outcome avoided any sense of victory or defeat that could have reignited tensions.
“If one team had won, there would have been a victor and a vanquished. But today, everybody won, and we are all celebrating,” he said.
Engr. Ugota further disclosed that scouts were already monitoring standout players, noting that exceptional talents would be enrolled free of charge into his football academy, which is affiliated with the Nationwide League One (NLO).
“My advice to the Ezza nation is to embrace peace because where there is peace, there is unity,” he stated.
Reacting, business mogul Mr. Chibuike Orogwu, popularly known as Babyoku, said the event transcended football.
“This is not just a football match; it is a statement of unity among Ezza people. It will strengthen peace, love, and togetherness,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Ebonyi North Zone, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, applauded Engr. Ugota for investing in youth development, describing the competition as a strategic tool for curbing youth restiveness.
The lawmaker, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Sports, noted that football remains one of the most unifying and profitable ventures globally and urged stakeholders to sustain their support for the initiative.
Dignitaries at the event included past and present parliamentarians, traditional rulers, academics, members of the Ebonyi State Executive Council, and numerous sports lovers, all united by a shared message of peace and reconciliation.
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