Oru-East pip Owerri West to win maiden edition
..TOE Ekechi, Henry Okafor Sponsor 1st & 2nd Prizes @ N500k, N300k
The Chairman Imo State Sports Commission, Hon Prince Sir Eleazar Onyewuchi Ogbonna “Ambassador” has reiterated that his administration will continue to support the youth empowerment programme of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo state, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma “Onwa Oyoko” through sports.
Reacting to sports journalists after the fascinating grand finale of the maiden Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Victory’s Cup which was won by the Governor’s LGA, Oru East.
Prince Ogbonna said the Imo Sports Commission has already set machineries in motion and will continue to work closely with all the Sports Associations in the state to revive grassroots sports developmental competitions which he noted weren’t just keeping the youths out of social vices as well as making all happy but was much more instrumental to the discovery of abundant sports talents who went on to make the state and the nation proud.
“Having played the game and been in the sports management business for many years you would understand why it’s easy for me to do what am doing for our hard working Governor,” Prince Ogbonna told journalists.
“I have given lots of scholarships to lots of people who are in the Universities, some are in Europe and are doing well, my duty is to take them off the street and put food for them on the table.
“You can see that His Excellency is empowering our youths. So my duty is to support what he is doing in other to help reduce crime in the state and help them pursue a career in sports.
“Again we needed to appreciate a hard working Governor who means well for his people and celebrate him on his resounding 27/27 LGA victory during the Guber polls last November.
“Despite the distractions the 3R/Shared Prosperity administration is facing the Governor has been resolute and determined to deliver dividends of democracy to his people hence we are resolved to thank and appreciate him.
“It shouldn’t be forgotten that through His Excellency’s approval and support, the Imo State Sports Commission secured an MoU with a Spanish Sports Agency to help train and retrain our Coaches in all sports as well as our athletes and get them into clubs where they can earn a better living and this is diversifying empowerment through sports.
“Remember I am the YSFON South East Ambassador and what we have done with this Governor’s Victory Cup is to also identify more talents in all the conners of the LGA’s that can also join the European Football trip for professional stint.
“We are not just ending the competition like this, as other grassroots sports activities will follow suit including the popular Principal’s Cup, School Sports, Tournaments for Volleyball, Handball Hockey, Boxing, Wrestling, Scrabble, Badminton, Athletics, Swimming, Cycling Basketball, Judo, Cricket and many more to truly revive sports in the state and identify more talents.
“This is just the first step and we would continue to count from here and from the mistakes in this programme we would continue to perfect subsequently in other competitions.
The final which was well attended was heralded by a 3rd place encounter that saw Ahiazu Mbaise LGA piping Owerri Municipal 1-0 to earn the sum of N200,000 just as the second placed team, Owerri West receive N300,000 sponsored by Prince Henry Okafor and the champions, Oru East carted away the giant trophy and the sum of N500,000 as sponsored by Chief Dr TOE Ekechi.
The dignitaries who attended the epic final includes; Chief Dr TOE Ekechi “Ugoejiejemba Ngor Okpala” who was ably represented by Imo APC Publicity Secretary, Hon Cajetan Duke, Hon Prince Henry Okafor, the Immediate Past Commissioner for Niger Delta Commission and former General Manager of Imo Housing Corporation and ISOPADEC, the Imo State Sports Commission Sports Director, Sir Ferdinand Emeana among many others including management members of the Sports Commission.
