Youths Enthralled, As Nabuko Sponsors First Umuonyeukpa Football Competition

By Izunna Okafor

It was a victorious moment of jubilation for the youths of Umuonyeukpa village Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, over the week, as they participated in the recently concluded First Umuonyeukpa Inter-village Football Match.

Started at exactly 3:45pm, the first half of the match ended with a goalless draw; after which the second half kicked off at 4:29pm, with few substitutions thereafter. Ebuka Mmadubuko (of Umuohu), who joined the game at 4:41pm opened the goal door in at 4:45pm (four minutes after he entered the pitch). Twenty-five minutes after the celebration (at 5:6pm), Chimaobim Alaeputum (of Umuohu) scored another with penalty, also against the Obinabor team. Shortly after that (at 5:13:pm), Chukwudubem Uzochukwu retaliated the goal in favour of Obinabor; while six minutes after (at 5:13pm and few minutes), Ebuka Mmadubuko 'headed-in' another goal. His attempt to score hat-trick failed, as his nodding flew over the bar; shortly after which the match want blown to an end on a 3-1 win for the Umuohu team.

Proudly sponsored by the MD of Nabuko Groups, Mr. Nnamdi Mmadubuko, the Football Match was between the two regions in the village, which are the Obinabor and Umuohu, saw the participation of youths of the village.

Addressing newsmen at the grand finale of the match, which held at the field of Community Primary School, Ebenator, the sponsor, Mr. Madubuko revealed that the competition, which was the first of its kind, was aimed at uniting and bringing the youths home every Christmas, as well as discovering and harnessing the sporting talents among them, among other aims.

Being a lover of football, youths and unity, he noted that he had previously sponsored such competition in different places and at different levels, including at the university level and in the Cross River State where he resides, with wonderful testimonies that accompanied them; hence his decision to bring it home to his village this year.

While testifying that the football match has exposed some amazing sporting talents among the youths of the village, he commended the youths for their coordination and for coming out en masse to ardently participate in both the training and the match itself.

Hailing the smooth and peaceful conduct of the exercise, he also expressed optimism that he will also sponsor the competition next year; even as he advised the youths to be hardworking and love every good thing they are doing as a means of survival, shun cultism and other social vices, so as to contribute meaningfully to the society and also grow to become sponsors of such competitions and other wonderful initiatives.

In their separate remarks, some members of the village, Mr. Roland Udeze and Mr. Joachim Uzochukwu commended the sponsor, Mr. Mmadubuko for investing in the lives of the youths, and prayed God to reward him abundantly; even as they enjoined him to sustain the spirit and never to relent in the good works he has already started doing.

They also commended Umuonyeukpa youths for being responsible and for being cited as good examples in the entire community; as no single youth from the village has brought shame or committed a thing of disgrace in the community; even as they advised the youths to continue being examples of good lifestyle.

Speaking on behalf of the youths, the coaches of Obinabor team and Umuohu team, Mr. Chigozie Udeze and Mr. Elochukwu Obunadike, and the captains of the two teams, Mr. Onyeka Igweme and Mr. Ebuka Mmadubuko lauded the think-home initiative of the sponsor, which they testified, brought many youths of the village home this season and united them more and afforded the opportunity to know one another.

While expressing optimism that next year's edition will be greater than that of this year, they also urged other well-to-do individuals in the village to emulate Mr. Mmadubuko, by sponsoring other wonderful things for the benefit of the youths and other members of the village and the community at large.

The football Match featured presentation of the Unity Cup to the winning team, presentation of silver medals to the Obinabor team members, and golden medals to the Umuohu team members; as well as running around the village with the trophy by the youths of the village and players of the two teams. The launching of the cup was capped up at Mr. Nnamdi Mmadubuko's compound, where he also launched it with a whooping sum of ₦50,000.