Imo State University (IMSU) claimed the maiden OneDosh Imo State Unity Cup title after edging Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE) 3-2 in a thrilling final played on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
For emerging champions, IMSU received the top prize of N1 million, while runners-up AIFUE earned N750,000. The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) went home with N500,000 after finishing third.
Speaking after the final, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, commended all the participating institutions for displaying sportsmanship throughout the competition and applauded the organisers for successfully staging the maiden edition of the tournament.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the governor thanked the participating schools for entertaining the spectators and using their youthful energy positively.
He said: “I want to thank especially the Alvan team, who came from behind to score two goals. They must be commended. Don’t feel bad; you are still our heroes. My congratulations go to the IMSU team who won today’s match. May God continue to engage you positively, in line with His Excellency’s directive for the youth. Thank you to everyone who made this competition possible, the schools and the organisers.”
Speaking after the tournament, the competition’s organiser, Engineer Ugochukwu Obinna Egbunine, described the maiden edition as both challenging and rewarding.
He acknowledged the difficulties encountered in organising the event but expressed gratitude to God for seeing the organisers through.
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He said: “What happened here today shows that good things are here to stay, so we will keep pushing. Seeing students from different schools come together, united, to watch the beautiful game of football is something we should all be happy about.
“It shows that the aim of the Unity Cup, which is to unite people, was truly achieved.”
Also reflecting on the success of the competition, Cindy Oba, representative of the tournament sponsors, OneDosh Global Finance App, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
He said: “Seeing the students come together, seeing the excitement, seeing the joy and the unity among them was very exciting. What we had in mind and what eventually happened was almost identical to what we envisioned.”
Oba added that the people of Imo State embraced the OneDosh initiative, while students also embraced the spirit of unity promoted by the competition.
He noted that the successful conclusion of the maiden OneDosh Imo State Unity Cup reinforced the competition’s objective of promoting unity, sportsmanship and healthy rivalry among tertiary institutions in Imo State through football.
