It was an electrifying atmosphere at the Alvan Pavilion, Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri at the flag off of the first edition of the Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor’s Cup held on Sunday, August 11th, 2024.
The competition organised to keep Imo youths active and for them to refrain from social vices had its first game between Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education and Imo State University (IMSU).
Before the official opening game kick off, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Barrister Nnamdi Anyaehie thumbed up the wonderful gesture of the Imo Governor while assuring that the competition would produce talents fit enough for Heartland FC and other top clubs in the world.
He affirmed that the participating schools and youth teams must play by the rules of the game and ensure fairness takes the lead.
“His Excellency, Hope Uzodinma has provided necessary tools for the institutions in Imo state to participate. We know we have budding talents in Imo that need to be discovered and harnessed,” Anyaehie who represented the Imo State Governor said in his remarks.
“This is a nice initiative to keep the youths off social vices and make them more responsible. His Excellency is a sports fanatic and we appreciate the fact that sports is a integral part of human development and through sports you feel healthy. We can thank him enough for this Governor’s Cup he has initiated for higher institutions of learning, youth teams and Secondary schools in Imo state.
“The name of the game would be fair play and participating teams will play by the rules and abide by it. At the end of this competition I assure everybody that there would talent that will play for Heartland FC and even for the Nigerian national team and other top clubs.”
In the opening game played, IMSU defeated Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education 4-3 on penalties after the regulation time had ended 1-1 with Emmanuel Oledibe of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education adjudged as the Man of the Match and given N50,000 cash prize for his impressive performance.
Speaking before the start of the game, the Commissioner for Youth & Talent Hunt, Honourable Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu in his address hailed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and called it another display of the Governor’s unwavering support and deep affection for the youth.
“The Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor, H/E Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma CON, in yet another display of his deep affection for the youth, has strengthened the bond between his government and the youth community in the state.”
“The tournament would be organized into three segments: the Campus segment (involving all higher institutions in the state), the Youth segment (involving organized youth groups across the state), and the Inter-Secondary segment.
“I want to commend His Excellency for his unwavering grassroots efforts in the affairs of Imo youth.
“His Excellency, in his wisdom and community spirit, has allocated 3 million Naira to the winners of the Campus segment (with 2 million Naira for the second phase and 1 million Naira for the third phase). For the Youth Cup, he has approved 5 million Naira for the winners (with 3 million Naira for the second phase and 2 million Naira for the third phase).
“As the Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor and a true patriotic Nigerian, His Excellency has consistently demonstrated his love for Imo youths and students. His grassroots initiatives and uncompromising efforts are focused on ensuring the activeness, productivity, and prosperity of not only Imo youths but Nigerian youths at large,” I asserted.
The event reached a crescendo when Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie the chief of Staff to the Governor who represented His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma Kicked off the the football exercise with impressive skills.
The day was capped off with an exciting football match where the Imo State University (IMSU) team triumphed over the Alvan Ikoku team in a 2-1 penalty shootout, with Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Oledibe (Captain of the Alvan Ikoku team) named the “Man of the Match” for his outstanding performance.
The event saw a convergence of other distinguished personalities, the Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Mrs. Stella Nlemchi, SA on political matters, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, , the Commissioner of Sports, Hon. Onyeocha Obinna, the Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, the Commissioner of Tertiary and Technical Education, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, and other notable figures such as the Imo FA Chairman, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, as well as youth and student bodies, all of whom gathered yesterday, Sunday, August 11th, for the Flag-off of the Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor’s Cup.
The competition which is into three parts has one for higher institutions of learning in Imo state and the second for Youth organisations in the state and third for Secondary schools is packaged by four Imo State Commissioners who are: Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Obinna Onyeocha (Onowu); Commissioner for Youth & Talent Hunt, Honourable Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Education (Primary & Secondary), Prof. Johncliff Chike Nwadike and Commissioner for Tertiary & Technical Education, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu.
The competition which continues this weekend will run for one month.
