Awka City Township Stadium was recently filled to capacity with sports enthusiasts and people of Awka both at home and in the diaspora, as the maiden edition of Ifeigbo Awka Peace Cup football tournament came to an end.

 

Umuzocha and Umuayom villages trade tackles in the finals of the tournament participated by all the villages in Awka, and team Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA.

 

The end of the thrilling and entertaining encounter, Umuayom village defeated Umuzuocha by two goals to one to lift the coveted trophy.

The Ifeigbo Awka Peace Cup was initiated by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Mr. Ossy Onuko as a way to foster peace in Awka town and redirect the mindsets of youths to meaningful things, as well as to chase out all forms of social vices, especially cultism in the town.

 

It was sponsored by JEZCO Oil Nigeria Limited.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the match, Mr. Onuko said that he was highly elated and fulfilled as the turnout of people was massive and excitement unquantifiable.

 

He made it clear that record has shown that since they commenced the tournament on November seventeen, 2023, there has not been one single case of gun related violence in Awka, thanking God that the aim and the objective of the tournament has been actualized, promising to continue to host the tournament through the grace of God.

Speaking to the ABS, a one-time senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi who came with his family to watch the match, appreciated Mr. Onuko for his foresight, saying that the tournament will not only bring peace to Awka town, but will also serve as an avenue for breeding talents.

 

For the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, Miss Chinwe Okoli, the grand finale of the tournament was the best way to begin the new year, and hoped to see such life changing tournament organized by the ACTDA boss be replicated in other local governments and towns across the state.

Umuayom village who won the tournament went home with one million naira, Umuzuocha went home with five hundred thousand, while Umudioka that won bronze smiled home with three hundred thousand naira.

 

The Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr. Patrick Onyedum, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo on Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, who is the National Cordinator of Soludo Ambassadors, Chief Kenneth Obiorah-Nwachukwu were among the numerous dignitaries that graced the event, as giving of medals and handing over of the trophy to the winners which was personally performed by Senator Obi climaxed the event.