Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission Commissioner, Barr. Kelvin Ituma, has sponsored a unity football tournament for the youths of Amechi and Umuagara communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
The initiative aims to harness the talents of young people while promoting peace and community cohesion.
The tournament coincided with Barr. Ituma’s birthday celebration and was hosted at Wesley Secondary School, Ezzamgbo.
The first edition of the competition concluded with Amechi defeating Umuagara 4-3 in a penalty shootout to lift the trophy.
Speaking after the event, Barr. Ituma expressed gratitude to God for the successful tournament and thanked the participating teams for their sportsmanship.
He assured that future editions of the competition would be even more promising and engaging.
Barr. Ituma stated that the football tournament complements Governor Francis Nwifuru’s efforts to develop sports at the grassroots level.
He also pledged to make it an annual event, giving youths the opportunity to showcase their talents while helping them stay away from social vices such as drug abuse and cultism.
"I decided to bring the youths together because when you build youths, you have built the nation. I am a youth, and I will continue to create opportunities for young people to engage themselves positively," he said.
The commissioner also called on local government chairmen to provide social amenities to rural communities to improve the quality of life of residents.
He thanked Governor Nwifuru for the opportunity to serve and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him.
Chief Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, chairman of the occasion, represented by Barr. Chibueze Ndukwe, commended the players and supporters for their enthusiasm.
He described sports as a vital platform for young people to showcase their talents and made an undisclosed financial donation to support the players.
He further urged the state government to continue investing in sports to curb youth restiveness.
The keenly contested final attracted community leaders, football enthusiasts, and youths from both communities, highlighting the tournament’s unifying impact.
