By Chigozie Chukwuleta
In a show of extraordinary desire to see football developed at all levels, the Sporting Director, Enyimba Football Club, Ifeanyi Ekwueme has taken his grassroot football tournaments sponsorship program to Owerri Catholic Diocese.
With the said program Ifeanyi Ekwueme has accepted to bankroll the Owerri Archdiocese Fitness Football Competition for Priests.
According to a release signed by the Diocesan Sports Director, Rev. Fr Patrick Amadi, the Archbishop, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, approved a football tournament for priests in the Archdiocese.
The tournament he said is geared towards their Physical, Psychological, Emotional and Spiritual balancing and fitness
He informed that for an effective and organized tournament, the sports organizers and the Deans have put in place a proper plan to ensure the tournament cut across different deaneries in the Archdiocese.
The Sports Director explained that, the Deans on behalf of the deaneries have picked from the secret box teams to compete and who to compete against.
The competition which will have its finals played on September 9th will have the matches played every Monday starting from Monday 29th July with semi finals on 26th August and 2nd September, 2024 respectively.
The tournament champions will go home with a Trophy, 200,000 cash prize and customized Jerseys while the first runners up will go home with 150,000 cash prize and customized Jerseys.
Rev Fr Amadi announced that participating teams will receive appearance fee of 30,000 through the deans to facilitate their preparations as all matches will by 4pm at the Cathedral field warning that lateness attracts a walkover.
During the tournament, Other side sports like table tennis, badminton, etc might be introduced to accommodate other priests especially the aged.
He thanked the Archbishop for approval and the benefactor, for sponsorship.
“I humbly thank the Archbishop Most Rev. Lucius I. Ugorji for the approval and concern for the healthy living of His priests. Thank you our big Daddy”,
“My gratitude goes to Mr Ifeanyi Ekwueme (Ex Nigerian Player)who chose to single handedly sponsor this tournament. I pray for a fruitful sports inquiry free tournament”.
Fixtures
A. Uzoagba Vs Mbutuokahia 29th July
B. Emekuku Vs Oguta 5th August
C. Ogbaku Vs Egbema 12th August
D. Ohaji Vs Owerri 18th August.
