Umuhu Ezechi community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State experienced a fulfilled Christmas and new year celebration with a keenly contested grassroots football competition organized and sponsored by the ALL FACT NEWSPAPER Personality Of The Year 2021 Maj. Gen. Ijioma N. Ijioma Rtd.
The football tournament which is aimed at grassroots talent development was sponsored by the retired Military General through his New Deal Foundation.
The climax of the tournament which took place at Umuokwe Umuhu Ezechi Football Field, saw Ezechi United Football Club and Ezechi Pillars Football Club slugging it out for the first position and champion of the tournament. The competition saw both teams scoring 1-1 at full time with penalty kicks finally dividing the spoils.
While Ezechi United F.C was able to convert 5 penalty kicks, Ezechi Pillars FC converted only 3 penalty kick, making the final score 6-4.
The winner Ezechi United F.C went home with the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (#400,000), while the first runner-up, Ezechi Pillars F.C smiled home with the sum of Two Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira (#250,000), while the second runner-up Social Elite F C went home with One hundred and fifty thousand Naira (#150,000).
Other cash awards are: Best player N20,000.00, Best Goal keeper N20,000.00, Highest goal scorer N20,000.00, Best behaved team N20,000.00.
While interacting with General Ijioma, he revealed that sports is another way of meaningfully engaging the youths, reducing crime in the society and even empowering the youths.
He further stated that if he finds himself in a position of authority, he will do more through sports in engaging the youths, exposing them to foreign trainings and organizing competitions that will enable them showcase themselves for foreign and local scouts.
