By the Editor
The draws for the Mayor Super Cup 2022 competition have been held with the participants grouped into two groups of four teams each.
Nine teams initially indicated an interest in the competition sponsored by Hon. Maxwell Umahi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate for the Abakaliki North State Constituency at the Ebonyi state House of Assembly, in the 2023 general elections.
One team, Salt FC failed to turn up for the draw ceremony held inside the impressive Pa Ngele Oruta stadium Abakaliki, on Saturday. After clarifications by the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) to the team, it became clear that the draws had to go on as scheduled without it.
The eight teams were then grouped into two groups. Group A has Reformed Nkuwasi FC, Bankers FC, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Police FC.
Group B has Lion FC, All Stars FC, Nigeria Immigration Service and Future Stars FC.
At the trophy presentation ceremony, held after the one million solidarity march, the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha commended Maxwell Umahi for sponsoring the competition, noting that it will unite youths in the state.
"Maxwell has taken a cue from our indefatigable Governor, His Excellency, Chief Engr David Umahi who has revolutionalised sport in the state as he has replicated this feat among the youths of the state.
"In solidarity and support of this noble competition, I will support the winners with N500, 000, the MOC of the competition with N100, 000 and the organisers of the road walk with N100,000".
He urged the people to vote for APC candidates in all positions in the general elections and promised them that the party will sustain Umahi"s sporting legacies.
Hon. Charles Akpu-Enika, Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports said that future editions of the Mayor Super Cup will be held inside the 30,000 ultra-modern Olympic stadia in Abakaliki.
"At this time, the government announced that the first aircraft will land at our new, airport, the new stadium will be the perfect icing on the cake for visitors who would be conducting various sporting activities in our stadium.
"The combination of Hon. Maxwell Umahi and our incoming Governor, Rt.Hon. Francis Nwifuru would further cement the place of sports in the state, to the benefit of the youths.
The one million March which was a huge success saw the intimidating crowd marching through major streets of Abakaliki in solidarity with Maxwell, the
competition and the APC aspirations in the general elections.
