The Youths of Ward 8 in Enugu South local government area of Enugu state, have lifted the Enugu South Unity Cup tournament sponsored by the local government chairman, Hon. Caleb Ani.
They beat the first runners up Ward 3, 5 – 4 penalty shootout as the game ended on a 1 – 1 draw at full time.
For their gallant efforts in the tournament and for emerging the overall champion, Ward 8 was given a cash award of N1m, while the first runners up got a prize money of N500,000.00.
The Second Runners up got the sum of N250,000.00 as consolation prize.
Appraising the grand finale of the tournament decided at Obeagu Uno, former Minister of Sports and former governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, urged the youths to take sports serious.
He said that sports is capable of lifting them high in the society.
Nwobodo who was impressed with the sportsmanship exhibited by the players, predicted that some of them 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.
Chairman of the local government, Hon. Ani, said they organised the game for a talent hunt as well as to unite the people of his council area the more.
He said that he would continue to sustain the tournament as well as encourage other sports activities so long as he remained the council boss.
“The tournament was is something that was targeted to ensure that the youths of Enugu South are United. As you can see the turn up 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 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 speaking, the SPA on Youths and Sports, Nnamani Nobert Chijoke , expressed joy at the way the tournament ended peacefully. He thanked the council chairman for sponsoring the Unity Cup, saying that, “it is welcome development because it has given our youths the opportunity to showcase that which God has deposited in them.”
