By Ikenna Nwokedi
Umutu Village on Christmas Day, 25th December 2024 defeated Uruonyili Village by two unreplied goals in the opening match of the Akwaeze Unity Cup tagged ‘Amalukwue Football Competition’ played at the Akwaeze football field.
Cherechukwu Anoliefo gave his side the lead in the 16th minute of the game finishing off in style in a keenly contested game watched by the Traditional Ruler of the community, HRM Igwe C. N. Okpala, Ezennebo III of Akwaeze and the President-General, Chief Osita Udemba. Odinaka Onwuasoanya made it two in the second period to ensure his side would top the group which also has Mgbuwa Village.
The Akwaeze Unity Cup competition is being bankrolled by Nze Mmaduaburochukwu Benjamin Onyeka Amalukwue AKA ‘Gentle Professor’ with six villages of Akwaeze Community comprising of Uruonyili, Umutu, Mgbuwa, Umuezeani, Umuideke and Uruolu Villages featuring in the soccer mundial holding from Wednesday, 25th December 2024 to Thursday, 2nd January 2025.
The winner of the Amalukwue Football Competition is expected to take home the sum of One million naira while the runners up will smile home with the sum of 500 thousand naira with the competition accommodating individual awards such as the Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player and Top Goalkeeper.
In his remarks shortly after the opening match, Nze Amalukwue stated that the competition was an avenue for the teeming youths of the community to discover and showcase their sporting prowess through the instrumentality of football. Nze Amalukwue averred that the football championship will unify the villages in Akwaeze and provide a platform for the youths of the community to be engaged meaningfully during the festive period. He also urged the teams to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and ensure discipline is their watch word during the course of the competition.
On his part, the traditional ruler of Akwaeze, HRM Igwe C.N. Okpala eulogized the sponsor, Nze Amalukwue for his philanthropic gesture and support towards the growth of sports in the community and promoting human capital development. The monarch prayed for blessings upon the sponsor and his family as well as an injury free competition.
Highpoints of the opening ceremony was a ceremonial kickoff performed by the sponsor, Nze Amalukwue in company of the traditional ruler and president-general of the commmunity as well as photo sessions by the playing personnel of the two teams with top dignitaries who witnessed the match.
