The Ezza Ezekuna Unity cup kick off between Abaomege and Ishinkwo communities, both in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The tournament sponsored by Esthington group was officially declared open by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Rev. Dr Peter Chukwu.
The match ended 3:3 between the two communities.
The Chairman and founder of Esthington Group, Darlington Ugota, said he organised the tournament among the 40 communities that made up of Ezza Ezekuna to unite the people for more progress in the area and also to harness talents.
He requested that the 27th of December every year, should be set aside as a day to celebrate Ezza people.
“We organised this tournament for two major reasons. One is the unity of our nation, which is very important. Because where there is unity, there will be progress.
“And then, of course, the second is to harness the talents we have. By the grace of God, last year, when we met like this, we unveiled the football academy. We registered the football academy with the Nigerian league one.
“And they went to Cross River and played with about eight different clubs. They represented us very well. In some of their matches, they streamed live.
“We watched on the television and we saw some of our boys playing. And we were very excited. And I want to say, by the grace of God, that in a very short time, Super Eagles will get there.
“And I want to assure all our young people that are participating in this football, that we have not brought you out to expose you and leave you. We have brought you out to expose you to the football community and guide you, by the grace of God, to the global stage. I want to acknowledge that we have arranged for two communities to play today.
“That is Isinkwo and Abomege. Because we understand what has happened between them. I want to remind you that today, on behalf of Ezekunna, we are trying to remind you that whatever has happened in the past should remain in the past. Nobody should be engineered to hurt his brother again.
“You know, most of the times, if you are not careful, you will be fighting for something that when you eventually win it, you will not be proud of it.
“The beauty of every celebration is that you are celebrating it with your brother. And so let’s prioritize this unity. And see that whatever we are doing, we should ensure that the next person does not feel any hurt.
“And we want to also extend this to every other community. We are brothers. Together we can achieve a lot of things.
“We have a lot of great persons in Ezekunna. And the spirit of God does not dwell where there is no unity. And that is why we have come under this platform of Unity Cup. To see how we can gather all of us together, where we meet and we discuss. I will know the talent you have, you know the one I have. I will know the business you do, you know the one I do.
“By the time we start patronizing ourselves and placing ourselves first, I am telling you, you don’t need 10 years for Ezekunna to go far. Just 2-3 years. By the grace of God, by next year, the one we organize will be bigger than this.
“I want to appreciate our fathers and daddies that are here. I also want to remind you that all your efforts are not in vain. The Lord Almighty has been answering the prayers and helping your efforts. He has also raised us. We owe it as a responsibility to help other people to rise. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to appreciate you once more.
“I want to remind you that this gathering is not just a regular football tournament. This is a platform where we want to watch each other’s back, support in the little way we can support, either through the word of our mouth, through our prayers, through our finances, to make sure that Ezekunna gets to that height.
“It is your responsibility, it is my responsibility, it is our collective responsibility to do the little we can do to move Ezekunna forward,” he said.
Ugota also thanked the chairman of the council, Mrs Euphemia Nwali, for all her her in uniting the clan. He then pledged to repaint the Onueke stadium before the final match.
In opening remarks, Ifeanyi Nworie, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition, said the competition featured under-13 and under-22.
He further said the tournament is significant as it draws together the entire forty-two (42) communities across the Ezza clan, bringing unity, love and happiness.
Nworie also said the tournament allows the discovery of talents. Noting that the organiser has promised to send some lucky players abroad.
“We have a total of 37 community teams from the 36 communities of Ezza land.
“This is simply set to fish out talent that can be harnessed to an international standard. This is to create an avenue that fosters more peace among our people.
“We have hope that the discovered talents will be fully harnessed and utilised.
“On prizes set for the tournament, we have been careful about that, but the best players and teams will be rewarded handsomely,” Nworie stated.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Dr Peter Nworie Chukwu, in his remarks, commended the founder of the football club and prayed for the sustenance of the existing peace in all the communities in Ezza nation.
Mrs Euphemia Nwali, Executive Chairman of Ezza-South Local Government Area of the State, described the initiative as “a welcome development” in the efforts to engage the youths meaningfully and check restiveness.
Nwali charged the young players to take the advantage of the moment, by playing with passion, integrity, and also remember that it’s bigger than winning a trophy.
She, therefore, commended the Organiser, Ugota and pledged the council’s support to youth development.
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