Everest Ezihe || Rt. Rev. Chidi Oparajiaku has advised the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Mikel Obi and other successful footballers in Nigeria who were products of rural football competitions to always remember to identify with her roots through sponsorship of football competitions and provision of basic football facilities.
Oparajiaku who is the Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema Anglican Diocese in Imo State said this on Tuesday at the open field of the Cathedral Church of Dt. Peters Umuokanne during the finals of the diocesan football competition marking her 2017 Diocesan annual Anniversary.
The Bishop who is the initiator and facilitator of the annual event recalled that in 2009 and backwards that Kelechi Iheanacho participated actively in the tournament noting also that the essence of the competition is to wrestle youths against restiveness, militancy and other anti-social vices as well as helping the youths to achieve their potentials through discoveries of hidden talents
He further informed that efforts have been advanced to register the competition with IMO FA and with the name Alpha FC, Ohaji/Egbema, already registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
In his contributions, Sir Raymond Ogara, the President Knights Dioceses of Ohaji/Egbema and who was also a Special Guest of honour for the final match between Obiakpu deanery and Cathedral Church of St. Peters Umuokanne which ended in a penalty shoot-out and favoured Obiakpo 5 and Cathedral Umuokanne 4.
Ogara expressed satisfaction with the standard of play and noted the essence of the competition to have been achieved.
He noted their challenges to the lack of sponsorship and good sporting facilities which he attributed to poverty and economic recession.
The overall results of the competition showed that in Male football competition that Obiakpu (1st), Cathedral Umuokanne (2nd) while Obiti got the 3rd place. The Best Player award was received by Mt. Charles Chidiebere, the Best Goal Keeper was Mr. Onyeigbo Bright while Mr. Anele Chidube was named the Highest Goal Scorer.
In the female category, Cathedral Umuokanne lifted the trophy; Obiakpu was the runners-up while 3rdplace was Ohuba.
Similarly, Miss Okoro Amarachi was nominated best female player while Miss Favour Onyemauche bagged the Highest Goal Scorer and Miss Mary Obinaonu was announced the best goal Keeper, each of the awardees received handsome motivational cash while the winning teams went home with cash and trophy.
