The 2024/2025 season of the Onuimo Christmas soccer tournament tagged “Talent Hunt” came to a historic and electrifying end on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, as Okwelle FC launched a ferocious comeback to defeat Umuduru Agulu in the finals by 3 goals to 2.
The cup was donated by Hon. Chief James Uba Esile, the serving House of Assembly member representing the people of Onuimo in the Imo State House of Assembly and the President/ Founder of the Fresh Air Movement, Imo State, kicked off at the Central School Umunna; the field attracted huge spectators within and outside the LGA.
The finals were officiated by a team of referees from the Imo State Referee Council, with Anyanwu Ebubechukwu as the Centre Referee (CR), Anunuobi Chidozie as Assistant Referee (AR 1), and Onwuegbu Charles as Assistant Referee (AR 2).
It also featured other unique highlights, such as football commentary by a veteran commentator and freelancer who knows his onus, Uzoma Chukwuebuka Henry, scorer interludes, the media, and sports live- feed, featuring the Ace scorer idol and one of the most celebrated football icons in Nigeria, Africa, and the world, Emmanuel Amunike, who is the current coach of Heathland FC of Owerri, Imo State.
Addressing the players when performing the opening match kick-off, Hon. Esile admonished them to play as brothers and shun brutality that could lead to injuring players.
He reiterated the need for unity, love, and opportunity amongst the players as the central message to the boys.”We are happy that today is the final of the championship. It is a tradition that in every championship, there must be a champion, but let us compete with the spirit of love. “You all started this game well, and I want it to end well without any injury to players. The theme of this competition is “Talent Hunt.” We have kept our promises by bringing one of the greatest footballers in history and the head coach of Heathland FC, Emmanuel Amunike to be part of this finals.”
He informed that the aim is to scout for the best among the youths and fix them, adding that the officials who came from the Imo State Referee Council are also professionals who will help in moderating the game, and in the end, a champion will emerge
Speaking to the newsmen during the live-feed interaction at halftime, Coach Emmanuel Amunike commended the donor of the trophy, Hon. James Uba Esile, for the love he has for his people, even as Amuneke described Esile as “a friend of the people” and a vocal voice in the Imo State House of Assembly.
“First of all, let me recognize everyone here. We are here today to inspire the young people through football. “You see, football is a language, and the language is how we can bring people together”
He further emphasized that the round leather game of football is a veritable tool for national unity, which also brings about peace.
He noted that using the game to create opportunity and inspire the young ones to aspire higher as professionals and earn a living is very important, adding that his dream is to bring people together to play football in love and unity.
“I can tell you that being here today is a privilege, and being the Head coach of Heartland FC, Owerri, Imo State will help me to encourage talented young players to come to Heartland as far as the player is good. “I have been to Izombe, in Oguta LGA; Omumma, in Oru-West; and today, I am in Onuimo LGA. It is my responsibility to inspire the players. If we see any good players here, or if you have a record of good players, we will pick them up regardless of their background or creed”.
According to Amunike, those who know him can attest to his claim that he is a lover of good players, no matter where they come from, even as stated that he does not discriminate because he was once a young player like them.
When asked about what he thinks should be the final scoreline, seeing that Umuduru Agulu is leading Okwelle FC by 2-1 at halftime after conceding earlier in the game, he said that one thing to bear in mind is that finals are a different game, adding that, in finals, a lot of factors can be considered.
“If a team is winning at halftime by 2-1, it depends on their ability to defend the goals and the losing team to up their game and score, and of course, we have a team that is winning and probably has an edge and will carry on to the end.”
” The reality of the game is talent and opportunity-driven; It is not about who wins the cup that is important to us and the donor. It is the coming together of young people, discovering stars and talents, and recreating hope”.
“Thanks to my boss, Hon. James Uba Esile, for donating this cup. You see, it is not everyone who dares to create this kind of opportunity, and I call on the Onuimo people to embrace this challenge”
“Today we are playing the finals. We want this championship to be hosted in a bigger way in the coming season where we can have enough time to discover talented young players and create opportunities.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the donor and appealed to the players to utilize the opportunity and play for the peace and unity of Onuimo LGA.
At the end of the match, Hon. James Uba Esile thanked the former CAF Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amunike, for gracing the finals and his contribution towards the development of football and young talents, as well as the local organizing committee led by the chairman, Bright Ekwebelem, for their collective work to see to the conclusion of the competition.
Esile heartily commended the workaholic Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for creating an enabling environment for sporting events to take place in the state, nothing that sports creates opportunities for cultural exchanges and generates revenue.
Hon.Esile further pledged to enlarge the scope of the championship next season with wider publicity.
In the same vein, Hon.(Dr) Paul Emeka Obi, the former sole administrator of Onuimo LGA, and the current executive chairman of the LGA, commended the donor, Hon. Chief James Uba Esile, for his love for football and the people of Onuimo.
He boldly asserted that Esile is a brand in Onuimo and Imo State at large, adding that he has been known for uplifting the people in his little ways even before he was massively voted by the people of Onuimo to represent them in the IMHA.
Obi also appreciated the players for their peaceful conduct all through the championship, their supporters, and the committee members.
He promised that the coming edition will be greater than this year’s outing. The championship underscores the importance of local and individual collaboration in the development of sport, grassroots football, and the discovery of talents, as detailed in this action-filled final, which produced five goals from four players in favor of Okwelle FC 3-2 against Umuduru Agulu FC.
The Most Valuable Player (VMP) of the championship goes to Mmadu Nwosu, popularly known as “Salah,” who had a brace and one assist in the finals and was highly instrumental to the success of Okwelle FC, while the best team of the championship was awarded to Okwelle FC, who won the cup, as the runner-up team remains Umuduru Agulu.
The third place goes to Umunna FC, and following in that order was Okwe.
In recognition of his quality presentation to the people of Onuimo, Surv. Ogoke Cornelius, represented by Okechukwu Madu, presented a giant picture plaque award to Hon. James Uba Esile.
Some of the important dignitaries who graced the finals were Hon. Eugene Ibegbu, the Vice-Chairman of Onuimo LGA; Hon. Chief Charles Ijezie, immediate past Solad of Onuimo LGA; Hon. John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi, the Director-General of Fresh Air Movement, Imo State; His Royal Highness, Eze Cosmas Eze, Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze, Onuimo LGA; Rt. Hon. Andy Maduako, Leader, Onuimo Legislative Council; and Hon. Sunny Ken Okoroike, Councillor, Umuna Ward 5, among others.
