Awkunanaw East Ward 8 emerged champions of the Enugu South Council Unity Cup competition after defeating Obeagu Ward 3 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Amaegbu Obeagu Uno Community Primary School field.
The thrilling final ended on a 1 - 1 draw after 90 minutes of play and was decided by penalties, with Chekwube Chukwu Odinikpo scoring the goal that gave Awkunanaw East Ward 8 a 6-4 victory.
Speaking after the encounter, a former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, urged the youth to take sports seriously.
He said that sports is capable of lifting them high in the society.
Sen. Nwobodo, who was impressed with the sportsmanship exhibited by the players, predicted that some of the players might play in the national team and might even go international.
"I am predicting that one of the players will go national and international," he said, pointing out that former Super Eagles Skipper, Kanu Nwankwo was thus catapulted high.
The Chairman of the local government, Hon. Caleb Ani, who sponsored the tournament, highlighted the pivotal role of sports in fostering communal unity, peace, and progress.
Hon. Ani while urging the youth to focus on advancing their careers and avoiding societal vices, reiterated his commitment towards promoting sports development in the area.
According to the council boss, he organized the game for a talent hunt as well as to unite the people of his council area the more.
Ani said that he would continue to sustain the tournament and encourage other sporting activities as long as he remained the council boss.
"The tournament is something that was targeted to ensure that the youths of Enugu South are United. As you can see the turn out of the youths in this field, it shows a sign of unity as you can see the joy and degree of songs around the field. That is the purpose and target of this activity," he said.
Ani said that he was a sports man himself and would continue to sustain the tournament.
"I am a sportsman myself from my youth. So long as I remain the Chairman of the Council, I will continue to partner with sports activities, not just football," he promised.
Also, the SPA on Youths and Sports, to the council Chairman, Hon. Edennamani Noble, expressed joy with the way the tournament ended peacefully.
He thanked the council Chairman for sponsoring the Unity Cup, saying that, "it is a welcome development because it has given our youths the opportunity to showcase that which God has deposited in them."
At the end of the event, the victorious Awkunanaw East Ward 8 received N1 million, Obeagu Ward 3 got N500,000.00 and the third-place team, Ugwuaji Ward 10, earned N250,000.00.
Meanwhile, the councillor whose ward – Awkunanaw East Ward 8 – won the competition, Hon. Chinedu Ogbodo, said the success was borne out of dedication and hardwork.
Speaking, the Administrative Secretary of Rangers International F.C, Barrister Alex Egbo, vowed to ensure that the talents spotted during the tournament would be fully developed.
Enugu South LG Media
