….As Agonu hits hat trick, bags highest goal scorer award
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
History was made last Tuesday in Amaiyi-Akah autonomous community in Njaba LGA of Imo State, as Akunacha, the smallest village among the 14 villages that constituted the reverred autonomous community, withered the storms to become winner of the maiden Female Unity Football Competition as they walloped hard fighting Duru-Aroh in the finals 3-0, courtesy of hat trick by electrifying bulldozer striker Nzubechi Agonu.
Agonu was not only a tactical dribbler to the delights of the spectators for Lady Chikaodinaka Duru (Igolo Amaiyi-Akah) sole sponsorship football tournament, but a terrific terror to the mid field and defense wall of their opponent, thus earning for herself the best player of the competition as well as the highest goal scorer, with 8 goals meritoriously credited to her for her tireless efforts through out the competition.
The crowd pulling competition which started about 2 months ago with the 14 villages actively in participations at Town School Amaiyi-Akah playing ground was organized and supervised under the auspices of Amaiyi-Akah Sports Council with Mr. Okoro, as the Council Vice Chairman and Chairman Chika Duru Female Unity Football Club Organizing Committee presiding over the affairs.
It was obvious, that the competition lived up to its expectations of promoting community unity, love, discovering of budding talents and enhancing activities within and around the community.
As part of the programmes for the finals of the Female Football Unity Cup Competition, Lady Chikaodinaka Duru, popularly known as Igolo Amaiyi-Akah dedicated and commissioned multi million Naira industries she built in her ancestral home, Amaiyi-Akah as part of her strategic mission of creating job opportunities, giving back to the society and attracting further developmental strides for her people and the community.
The factories which operates under Chikk Productions Limited is into mega garri processing, herbal tea and seasoning productions and was commissioned and dedicated by Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ihebineike of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Amaiyi-Akah.
Responding, while presenting the giant golden cup to the overall winner of the competition, Lady Chikaodinaka Duru expressed gratitude to God for restoration of peace, brotherly love and unity of purpose in the community, which she said is one of her objectives for sponsoring the competition.
Duru further commended the community traditional ruler,HRH Eze Barr. Francis Okechukwu Ahanotu, and the President General, for their tremendous supports and visionary leadership as well as the organizers, Amaiyi-Akah Sports Council for their deligence and patriotism.
Igolo Amaiyi-Akah as she’s well known further appreciated her mother, Adaeze Elizabeth Duru, whom she described as a special mother of all and Madam Rhoda Nwakam, the Vice Chairman Njaba LGA for being in attendance and supportive.
Duru appreciated all the participated villages for being worthy ambassadors and reassured them of her commitments in making the competition an annual event.
In an interview with Sports Journalists, HRH Eze Barr. Francis Okechukwu Ahanotu, who attended the finals with his dear wife and children expressed satisfaction for the competition, noting that the competition has ignited precedence to other communities as well as love, exposure and unity among the people.
The Royal Father described the philanthropic gesture of Lady Chikaodinaka Duru as apt and commendable, while appealing to her for sustenance.
Chief Kingsley Eke,(Umunnanwezuoaku) also lauded the competition for its inherent benefits and the donor for her empathy over the community and her populace.
Eke who also sponsors Umunnanwezuoaku Unity Football Competition noted that Duruorieibe village were the champion for the recently concluded 2024 edition .
He thanked God for using him as an instrument in uplifting the community and lauded Chief Chikaodinaka Duru for being an illustrious daughter and a role model to youths of the community and even beyond.
Adding his voice, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, the Vice Chairman, Umuaka Ebieri Sports Council and also, the Chairman Amaiyi-Akah Sports Council informed that the competition spurred happiness and healthy competition among the populace and villages.
Okoro further observed that the competition aided in the discovering of budding female football talents, that if well harnessed could better the fortunes of the players, the community, the State and the nation at large.
He expressed gratitude to the donor and sponsor, Lady Chikaodinaka Duru for her commitments in uplifting her community, informing that the donor also played active football in her early years, beyond the community, local government and State levels, and was nicknamed Dauda, due to her football skills and artistry.
