.Onyeocha, Ogbonna Perform ceremonial kick off
Eziachi Secondary School, ESSO, Orlu has beaten Government Secondary School, GSS, Owerri 2-0 to win the inaugural edition of the Ex-Iwuanyanwu Nationale U19 Football Tournament played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
The six weeks long tournament took place in all six educational zones of Imo State before Eziachi Secondary School , Orlu (ESSO) carted home the trophy and the prize money among other freebies. ESSO scored a goal in each half to emerge victorious.
Speaking later to journalists, Imo Sports Commissioner, Honourable Obinna Onyeocha who performed the ceremonial kick off alongside the Imo Sports Commission Chairman, Prince Eleazar Ogbonna, appreciated the organizers of the tournament for their contributions towards football developments in the state.
He revealed that he with the Imo Sports Commission Boss, Prince Eleazer Ogbonna have penned down some good players to be invited for the ongoing talent hunt organised by the Imo Sports Commission.
“I was here to perform the opening ceremony of the tournament about six weeks ago. I’m here again today with the Chairman of Sports Commission to perform the ceremonial Kick-off Of the final game,” the Sports Commissioner said.
“This to tell you how elated the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma is in this partnership with private organizations towards the development of sports in the state.”
In his short address, the President General of the Ex-Iwuanyanwu Nationale Players Worldwide, Mr Isaac Ugochukwu Mbika gave reasons for organising the Football Tournament for Secondary Schools in Imo State and he revealed that the next edition would be better organised and properly structured.
“As members of Ex-Iwuanyanwu Nationale Worldwide, we organized this programme as a means of giving back to the society, with the hope that the culture will be maintained periodically,” Mbika said.
“As we have seen that sports is a unifying factor; an avenue to take youths off the street and also create employment opportunities, it is therefore necessary to encourage different associations and bodies to organize programmes of this nature in all sporting areas to catch them young.”
“In the course of this football competition, a lot of talents and players have been discovered which in our little way we shall find ways to support them to actualize their dreams”, Mbika concluded.
The third place match earlier played between Okohia Secondary School, Isiala-Mbano, Okigwe Zone 1, and Mgbidi Secondary School, Orlu Zone 2 ended 2-1 in favour of Okohia Secondary School, Isiaka Mbano.
