2024 Imerienwe/Upe Unity Cup: TOE Ekechi Lauds Sponsors, Partners

 

.. _As Henry Nwosu, Others Grace Opening Ceremony_

It was indeed a festival atmosphere at the Central School Field, Umuoye on Sunday during the opening ceremony of 9th edition of the Okenze Tobias Ekechi Imerienwe/Upe Unity Football Competition ably powered by Dr TOE Ekechi.

Dr Ekechi during his welcome address thanked specially a living icon of football and member of the 1980 team that won Nigeria's first AFCON, Henry Nwosu (MON).

The former Commissioner for Information in Imo State further expressed that the Technical Manager of Heartland FC and former African Footballer of the year, Emmanuel Amuneke who was supposed to also be in the opening ceremony but for the club's league trip to Ilorin, Kwara State promised to be live at the finals on December 31st, 2024 and hopefully would pick talents for trials with the Naze Millionaires.

He reiterated the purpose of the tournament which is geared towards harnessing talents, fostering entertainment, peace, unity and harmony amongst the Villages that make up the Imerienwe/Upe Communities as was epitomized by his late father, Okenze Tobias Ekechi.

He expressed his appreciation to all the partners of the tournament since it's inception for their relentless support especially for the individual awards. The supporters for the 2024 edition's individual awards including that of best Media Supporter award are; Hon Mrs Chika Ibekwe, Barr George Eke, Stanley Nkwocha, Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, Hon Dr Obinna Egu, Sir Dr Young-Toby Ekechi, Enyioha Emma Nwaogu, Ozoemena Rampa Emeghara, BIG OBI Ichie Kelechi Eke, Mr Sylvester Okere, AENIO Consults LTD, Earnest Akwaa Okere and Daniel Olowo Ogu.

 In the opening game of the tournament which for the first time will have Six Teams, Umuoye who were last seasons's runners up peeped Umunam 1-0 in a pulsating and firsty encounter that had all fans at the edge of their seat till the last whistle. Other teams include, Umunakara, Upe, the defending champions, Amafor and newly added All-Stars team.

Reacting after the game, Henry Nwosu commended the donor of the tournament for his philanthropic gesture particularly through football praising the level of talents he saw during the first encounter insisting that the future if the career is bright.

In their separate comments, the Head of Technical Team of the tournament and the LOC Chairman, Dr Andy Ezimefula and Ujunwa Headliner assured that this edition would have top notch improvements including ensuring transparency in the criteria of selecting the winners if various individual awards.

The encounter which has become a festive programme for the Imerienwe/Upe Communities and beyond during the yuletide period had lots of dignitaries in attendance including Eze Augustine Ekechi (Ijenwe II of Imerienwe), Barr Soronnadu Njoku and his Wife, Hon Cliff Akalonu, Naze Engr Oliva Eke (Palace Council Chairman, Imerienwe), Rev Fr Chika Okpara, Mr Jonathan Ubanwa (Former Heartland and ACB player who is working in the tournaments Technical Committee).