By Ikenna Nwokedi
Nze Mmaduaburochukwu Benjamin Onyeka Amalukwue, the sponsor of the upcoming Akwaeze Unity Cup tagged ‘Amalukwue Football Competition’ has unveiled the competition’s trophy and jerseys.
The colourful event which took place on Saturday, 23rd November 2024 at the palace of the traditional ruler of Akwaeze Community, His Royal Majesty, Igwe C.N. Okpala had the Monarch in presence alongside the President-General of the community, Chief Osita Udemba.
Speaking during the official unveiling ceremony, Nze Amalukwue stated that the football competition is a platform created for the teeming youths of the community to discover and showcase their footballing skills.
Nze Amalukwue who was represented by Nze Chidolue Amalukwue stated that the upcoming 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 informed that the Planning Committee of the competition chose to have the unveiling ceremony at the Monarch’s palace for his consent and blessings towards a hitch free and successful competition.
Nze Amalukwue said: “We decided to have the unveiling ceremony of the jerseys and trophy at Igwe Ezennebo III Palace here in Akwaeze to solicit for his immense support and Royal blessings and I cannot thank him enough for his fatherly disposition.
“The essence of this football competition in Akwaeze Community tagged ‘Amalukwue Football Competition’ is to unify the six villages and provide a platform for the youths of my community to showcase their skills and potentials in sports through football which is a universal game loved and followed by many,” Nze Amalukwue stated.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Akwaeze Community, HRM Igwe Christopher Okpala thanked Nze Amalukwue for his vision, innovation and philanthropic gesture geared towards engaging the youths on the community through sports.
Igwe Okpala called on other well meaning sons and daughters of Akwaeze Community to emulate Nze Amalukwue through their various programmes for the general wellbeing and growth of the community.
Also speaking, the President-General of Akwaeze Community, Nze Osita Udemba thanked Nze Amalukwue for being at the forefront of youth empowerment through sports. He assured the sponsor and the planning committee of their support towards having a successful football programme.
On his part, Chairman of Akwaeze Sports Committee, Mr. Maduka Okoye assured the sponsor and Akwaeze Community of a hitch free competition.
Okoye thanked Nze Amalukwue for his immense support towards sports development in the community and his philanthropic gesture geared towards reaching out to the youths, the good people of Akwaeze and unifying the community through the instrumentality of football.
The football competition which will kick off on Christmas Day and wind off on 4th January 2025 will see Uruonyili village trading tackles with Umutu Village in the opening match in Group A which also has Mgbuwa Village while Group B has Umuezeani, Umuideke and Uruolu Villages.
The football fiesta will see the eventual winner smiling home with the sum of N1million while the second placed team will take home the sum of N500,000.
The tournament will also accommodate individual awards such as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.
Highpoints of the unveiling ceremony was the official presentation of the trophy by the sponsor to the Traditional Ruler of Akwaeze Community as well as distribution of team jerseys and match balls.
