Ikechukwu Uche pledges to sustain sponsorship of Igbere Unity Cup competition

ABUJA – Super Eagles Player, Ikechukwu Uche has pledged to sustain the sponsorship of the annual Igbere Unity Cup Football Competition.
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Thirteen villages participated in the 2014 edition, played at the Igbere Secondary, Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia from Dec. 27, 2014 to Jan. 4, 2015.
Uche, an indigene of Igbere, who plays for Villarreal FC of Spain, took over the sponsorship of the competition from Chief Nnanna Uzor Kalu, a former member of the House of Representatives.
Kalu sponsored the competition for six years.
The President of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Kolos Ijiomah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Tuesday that Uche had given an assurance that he would continue to sponsor the championship.
“ Uche assured me that he would continue to sponsor the competition as long as he remains in active football,’’ Ijiomah said.
He said that the objective of the competition was the discovery of talents, whom Uche had promised to assist further their professional football careers in Spain.
He listed other objectives of the competition as strengthening the bond of unity in the community; providing entertainment during the festivities, among others.
In the final match played on Sunday, Jan. 4, Okafia defeated Ibina 1-0, to emerge the champions while Eziama was placed third.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The champions went home with N150,000 and jerseys; the runners-up received N100,000 and jerseys, while the third placed team got N50,000 and a medal. [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Communities that participated in the contest included Amankalu, Amaukwu, Amakpo, Amiyi, Okafia and Umuisi. [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Mr Ukaegbu Kazi, a Grade 1 referee from Igbere, who commented on the sponsorship, commended Uche for his gesture.
He said that young players from the area would be greatly motivated to follow the steps of Uche.
Ukaegbu urged other players to join hands with Uche to further boost the annual championship. (NAN)