Orashi Unity Cup Kicks Off

With lots of funfare and excitement, the maiden edition of Engr. Victor ObuzorOrashi Unity Cup Competition has kicked off.
Speaking during the opening ceremony over the weekend, at Western Ahoada High School, Ahoada in Ahoada Local Government Area, chairman of Ahoada LGA, Chief Ben Eke said that in order to promote and develop the beautiful round leather game known as football, individuals and organizations must collaborate with private sponsors like Victor Obuzor Orashi.
“I want to charge other individuals and other well-meaning Nigerians as well as organizations or corporate sponsors to collaborate and team up with such a man like Engr. Obuzor to advance our football. Besides, I want to advise other Nigerians not only from the Orashi region to sponsor competition like this,” Eke added.
The council chairman commended Obuzor for his initiative, and assured him that the Ahoada East LG authority would ensure a hitch free competition.
“I want to assure the sponsor of this competition and the Local Organizing Committee that the administrators of this LGA will partner with the sponsor and organizers of this football competition to ensure a hitch-free tournament.
“I want to commend my brother, Hon. Victor Obuzor for his initiative,” Chief Eke lauded.
Also speaking, the executive chairman of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Chief Vincent Job said he was pleased and impressed with Obuzor’s idea and concept.
He described the game of football as not only a global game, but also a unifying factor, adding that the Orashi Unity Cup 2022 will not only promote peace and security but will also foster unity among the people of the region.
On his part, the elder brother to Victor Obuzor, Chief Ikechukwu Obuzor lauded the sponsor for sustaining the family’s legacy of football and sports sponsorship, adding that through this competition, budding, talented and hardworking stars will be discovered before the end of the tourney.
Earlier in his opening remarks, sponsor of the competition, Victor Obuzor said though he is running for the ONELGA/Ahoada West Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 general elections, the idea of bank-rolling the competition was not for campaign. He said sports sponsorship is a family legacy.
“We are not campaigning for the 2023 general election but I want to tell you that the sponsorship of sports completion is something that is in the hearts of our family members. My father started it and my elder brother continued with it. Now, I am doing it.
Indeed, I want to begin something I can sustain,” Obuzor promised.
Obuzor pointed out that the game of football is not for the elite but also for the people at the grassroots adding, that nobody should neglect football.
“The game of football is not for the elite or the urban people but also for the people at the grassroots. The game of football is something we all should not neglect. When the younger ones play football, they have the opportunity to become professional. No matter the age, when you play football you will be very healthy and strong,” Obuzor emphasized.
He pointed out that the aim of the competition is to foster peace and unity in the region.
“This football competition is a forum to bring about peace and unity as well as harmony among the people of our region, he stated.
Chairman of the organizing committee, Sunday …assured that during the competition there would be no soccer hooliganism, hinting that there would be fair play among the participating teams and their players and coaches.
Our correspondent reports that 25 teams would be taking part in the competition, which would be based on a knock out basis as three best losers (teams) would join the teams at the quarter final stage of the competition which is expected to end within a month.
In the opening match the Golden Starts FC of Ahoada East LGA beat Joseph Ile FC of ONELGA 3 – 1 on penalty shoot-out after both sides had played 2-2 draw at regulation time.
The winner of the competition will pocket N1.5 million, while the runner up will go home with N1 million and the third place team will receive N500,000.