Aswani Unity Cup: ‘Football Tournament, Platform for Talent Exhibition’ – Chairman, Aswani Traders Association
...as Ibia Soegbe FC wins golden cup
The Chairman Aswani Traders Association, Mr. Remigius Donatus Ngharamike has stated that the Aswani Unity Football Tournament is a platform for upcoming footballers to showcase their talents and get exposed to opportunities in the international football space.
Remigius stated this during the final of the Aswani Unity football tournament competition on Thursday 21,2023 held at the market square.
The President General stated that the competition was aimed at entrenching peace and unity among the traders and also discovering new talents who would be exposed to challenge any other team as far as Lagos market is concerned.
He commended this year’s tournament, noting that the teams played well without rancour and the winner emerged which significantly promotes unity among traders.
“In every competition, there must be a winner and a loser and Ibia Soegbe FC has won due to their outstanding performance since the commencement of the competition, though my team Remco PG came second but it was a huge success.
“Aswani Unity Cup has brought out peace, love and unity among the traders and we intend to do more next year as it will be a bond that will unite the traders,” he submitted.
He expressed optimism that new talents would be discovered in this year’s edition and after the tournament, Aswani team will comprise of 11 talented players which will be fully sponsored by the association to represent in any given competition.
Mr Regimius whose antecedents speaks volume, expressed positivity in the future outcome of the football tournament, stating that his motives and expectations from the tournament is to foster unity amongst various tribes in Aswani trading centre as he advised the traders to be law abiding and responsible this festive period, promises to do better in 2024 with more innovations.
Speaking, the Chairman Organizing Committee, Mr Ukaigwe Emmanuel noted that the vision of organizing such event was to ensure that Aswani Traders Association remains a peaceful community, emphasizing that a peaceful disposition throughout the competition by the players was key to achieving success in the tournament.
Ukaigwe who is also the Chairman of Electrical traders association, added that despite some challenges in logistics issues, the committee went ahead in ensuring that the aim of organizing such an event is not thwarted but remained a success, while praising the leadership of Remigius Donatus for the initiative and being transparent, noting that it was a way of supporting youths to aspire in sports, he submitted.
High Chief Hyginus Eze Emenike, CEO Ntu Metals Nigeria Limited, one of the sponsors of the Aswani football tournament commended the efforts of players who played at the finals, says the finals was fantastic and full of fulfilled expectations, reiterating that character, self-discipline, sportsmanship and fair play was the watchword of all participating players.
According to him, outstanding players who performed credibly well would be supported in order for them to achieve their dreams to be professional footballers as he stated that his company would organize a female football tournament in Aswani come next year.
The match which was full of expectations from both teams eyeing the golden prize of 60,000 with a cup, saw the first half of the 30mins in the 60mins game finals, where Emeka of Jersey number 9 from Ibia Soegbe FC scored the first goal in the first 15mins of play followed by 2 more goals from Samson, a number 10 player from same team against the opposition team Remco PG.
In the second half of play, Remco PG scored a consolation goal through hazard of Jersey number 16, as Ibia Soegbe FC won the match by 3goals to 1 against Remco PG and team Orlu FC came 3rd with a walk over as declared by the referee Rasheed Ganiu.
Full of excitement, the Coach of Ibia Soegbe FC, Mr Micheal Onwumere stated that his team won because of prayers, determination from the players as they have not lost to any opposition team in the whole of the tournament.
It will be recalled that the football tournament kicked off on 1st December, 2023 with the team of 6 players as teams were merged into A and B group and they include: 042 Enugu, Orlu Brothers FC, Pinto FC, Remco PG FC, Ibiafegbe FC, and Nwa Mama FC.
The two teams and players who played in the finals are Ibia Soegbe FC and Remco FC, 1st prive winner went home with 60,000, second prize 40,000, third prize 30,000 and fourth place winner went home with 20,000. Other prize went to most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goal keeper.
