By Ikenna Nwokedi
The annual Enugwu-Ukwu Unity Cup competition for the 2022/23 season on Saturday, 17th December 2022, kicked off in style with Uruekwo Village playing out a 1-1 draw against Uruogbo village in an opening match played at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church field Enugwu-Ukwu.
The competition bankrolled by Hon. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo, member representing Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Federal Constituency and APGA Candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial seat will see 18 villages of Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) compete for honours in the football fiesta.
The football programme which runs from 17th December 2022 to 2nd January 2023 has the top prize of N500,000 for the winner while the first runners-up and second runners-up will each smile home with the sum of N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
According to Hon. Nwankwo in a chat with sports writers, the essence of the competition is to unite the youths from all the villages in Enugwu-Ukwu and as well provide a platform for them to showcase their sporting prowess.
“This competition is in line with our promise to unite and promote peaceful coexistence among the youths of my community and as well provide a platform for them to showcase their God’s given talent.
“Football across the globe provides that platform for people of diverse culture, race and inclination to mix-up together. I urge our teeming youths to adopt a health competition and fair play in this year’s programme and may the best village cum team emerge as champions,” Nwankwo said.
Highlights of the colourful opening ceremony was a ceremonial kickoff performed by the benefactor, Hon. Nwankwo. Other individual awards to be won are for the Best Goalkeeper accolade, Top Scorer and the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
