Five promising talents were awarded scholarships by Hon. Chijoke Ugwueze Memorial Foundation to attend football academies.
By Anayochukwu Agbo
The second edition of Hon Chijoke Ugwueze Memorial Football Competition, Tagged Aguiyi Unity Cup, ended in joy for all and a harvest of blessings for the participating teams on Sunday July 30, 2023, at Ikem Uno Community Primary School. Isiuzo Local Government Area, Enugu State. It is an annual football tournament that unites the whole 11 electoral wards in Isiuzo.
Bravers Heart Football Club of Ikem were the proud winners of the coveted trophy. They defeated the City Boys of Eha-Amufu 1 – 0 in the epic final watched by a capacity crowd of supporters and visitors from far and near. It was a gusty rematch of the 2022 final between the two top teams with the City Boys triumphing in the maiden edition. This year, Bravers put up a brave display to get the better of skillful and hard tackling City Boys in a very keenly contested final that lived up to the expectation of the cheering crowd.
Twelve teams participated in this year’s edition, which started with preliminaries in five locations. Each of the 11 electoral wards in the Local Government produced a team plus Leomakz Football Club, from the company of the late icon. From the quarter finals, the matches moved to the lush Ikem Uno Community Primary School field, popularly known as the Isiuzo Mini-Stadium.
Five outstanding players were awarded fully funded scholarship to attend football academy or university of their choice by Hon. Chijoke Ugwueze Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, a businessman and philanthropist who has been a strong pillar of the Foundation.
They are: 13 years old Emmanuel Nzubechukwu, from Ikem Umueje, a student of Ogor Community Secondary School Ikem who emerged joint Youngest Talented Player of the tournament with two others; Nnaji Emmanuel, 13, from Mbu Akpoti, a student of Community Secondary school Mbu; Agbogene Michael Sunday, 13, from Akpani Neke, a student of Nativity Academy Primary School Neke and Eze Franklin Nnamdi, 18, from lkem Nkwo, a student of St Patrick Secondary School, Obollo Eke who emerged the Promising Talent of the tournament.
Odo Kingsley Chibuife, captain of City Boys F.C from Umuhu, Eha-Amufu, emerged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Ofiang Sunday of City Boys was the highest goal scorer with eight goals æa from six matches. Ofiang is a talent to watch as he may end up one of Nigeria’s future strikers. Eight goals in a tournament is a very uncommon achievement.
These five talents were the highlights of this year’s edition and may well go ahead and become top professional footballers in the near future if their development is progressive.
Hon. Amaka Ugwueze, president of the Foundation, explained that “the competition was changed to Under 23 this year to lay emphasis on the discovery of young talents who can be helped to become professionals in future.”
Sports provides high paying jobs for talented people globally and this opportunity may be the breakthrough these young boys have been waiting for to explode on the world stage.
This change in philosophy yielded great results with the discovery of these five talents, four of whom are 13 years old while the MVP is 19 years.
The maiden edition of the competition was an all comers affair where players in their 40s eclipsed the young players. This has no professional value beyond entertainment, prompting the Foundation to settle for U-23 category.
The next challenge is to make sure the players are truly the ages they claim so that the aim of the Foundation will not be defeated.
The champions, Bravers Hearts went home with ₦1million cash and the trophy; the runners up, City Boys FC got ₦500, 000.00; 3rd position ₦300, 000.00 and 4th position ₦100, 000.00
All the four teams that reached the semi-finals went home with cash prize to support them.
In addition, the Best Coach of the tournament, Rev. Dr. Chinyere Ndubueze of Bravers Hearts, went home with a brand new motorcycle.
The Chairman of Isiuzo Local Government, Obiora Chibuzor Obeagu, supported the Foundation with the sum of ₦1million, other gift items and cash award of ₦20, 000 per each goal scored to encourage flowing attacking.
According to Professor Sam Ugwu, chairman of the Foundation,
This year’s edition, the participated teams were 12. Each electorate wards to produce a team plus.
Dignitaries in attendance during the final were; The former Speaker Enugu State House Of Assembly, Edward Uchenna Ubosi, Chairman of Isiuzo Local Government, Obiora Obeagu, the Vice Chairman Ogechukwu Nnamani, Chairman of PDP Isi-Uzo, Uche Ugwueze, The Chairman BOT of the Foundation, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies ESUT, Member JAAC Enugu State and Commissioner Nominee, Prof. Samuel Chijoke Ugwu; The CEO Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji Foundation, a renowned philanthropist, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji (Omeru Oha).
Others were: Amb. Dr. Kingsley Sunday Ebenyi, former member of House of Representatives representing Enugu East/Isi-uzo Federal Constituency! Fmr. MD Enugu State Water Corporation, Engr Prince Martin Okwor; Dr. Jideofor Ebeh, the immediate past Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Leader Isi-Uzo Legislative Council, Irenus Nnaji; Isiuzo Traditional Rulers, family members, Aguiyi Men, Liaison officers, Adaugo Women, Isiuzo at large, friends and well-wishers.
