Defending champions of last year's 2021 Aguata Community Shield football competition in an opening match to mark the year's kick off, thrashed Ikenga Community three zero win during the weekend.
News Echo reports that the second annual tournament being organised by the Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development as parts of its mandate to harness potentials, improving livelihood for greater productivity, through sports, education, healthcare, intervention research and skill development.
Speking during the kick off, Chairman Local Organising Committee, Dr Whyte Nwankwo stressed that 2023 Aguata Community Shield is aimed at bringing the youths together and also helping the youths to actualize their talent and see how to make impact towards local sports developmemt in Aguata. We so much believe that if we give the youths these opportunities, they will be able to translate such for sustainable development.
"For the future, we intend to have a better, untied Aguata filled with love, peace and progress. Also, assist the youths stay out of street and any social vices so that they can become enablers of community development".
Technical Director of the tournament, Chukwuka Fidelis, explained that this year's tournament is a unique one because it started early and the ultimate desire, commitment from the sponsor, Apostle Nwaigbo in a special preparation that will give meaningful development to these communities.
Mr Fidelis however, encouraged participating communities in to commit more of their task towards achieving greater heights because the aim is to keep the youths off the street and engage them more meaningfully. He pleaded with President Generals and the Igwes in the communities of Aguata to ensure that these youths are been guided so as to keep them out from violent or unacceptable activities.
Isuofia team Coach, Chekwube Okonkwo (pele) while expressing satisfaction over the three zero win against Ikenga noted that they are back to win the cup at this year's tournament again sitting the first win as preparedness for another victory.
Coach Ikenga FC, Emekike Chukwunenye said football is all about having a winner and a loser. According to him, though we lost this first game, we will go back to ur drawing board and make necessary corrections becuase we still have a chance to qualify.
Present at the ceremony were HRH Igwe Raphael Okpalaeke (igwe Okalabo 111) of Amesi Community, the Nigerian Red Cross Society,Anambra Vigilante, Amesi Group, sports lovers and enthusiasts.