Government Secondary School, Owerri has emerged as the Champion of the junior and senior singles of the maiden edition of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter’s Table Tennis Championship for Secondary Schools and have carted home N350,000 after finishing first and second positions in both categories.

In the same vein, Holy Ghost College, Owerri that ended the competition in third position in both junior and senior singles have been rewarded N100,000.

A competition with the National Secretary of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samdaddy Nnaemeka Anyanwu was hosted at the Bashlyks Sports Centre, Owerri had four schools in attendance. They were: Government Secondary School, Owerri, Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Imperial Secondary School, Ubomiri, Mbaitoli LGA, and St. Joseph Academy, Amaimo, Ikeduru LGA.

At the end of the keenly contested competition, Government Secondary School, Owerri showed they were a class above the other three schools after their both representatives in the junior and senior categories qualified for the finals of both categories.

In the junior category, Government Secondary School’s Udochukwu Onwuzuruike in JS 2 defeated the second representative of Government Secondary School, Light Eneme in the final in two straight sets of 11-7, 11-3 to become winner of the N100,000 prize money for the first position. Eneme who settled for second position smiled home with N75,000.

In the third place match of the Junior singles, Asie Chidera of St. Joseph Academy, Amaimo narrowly lost to Holy Ghost College’s Emmanuel Obiukwu by 2 sets to 1. Asie won the first set 14-12 pts but Obiukwu was victorious in the next two sets. He won 11-8,14-12 to pick the third position and a cash reward of N50,000.

In the senior singles category, Ifeanyi Onwuzuruike, an SS 2 student of Government Secondary School, Owerri emerged victorious in the final just like his younger brother, Udochukwu did in the junior cadre. The Onwuzuruike senior beat his fellow schoolmate, Uzochukwu Okoro of SS 3 by two sets to nothing (11-8, 12-10 pts) to win the N100,000 prize money while Okoro settled for N75,000 for finishing in second position.

In the third place match of the Senior singles decided, Mitchell Nnadi, an SS 2 student of Holy Ghost College, Owerri came back from a set down to narrowly beat St. Joseph Academy’s Njoku Godson. It was Njoku that won the first set 11-6 pts but Nnadi turned a new leaf and beat his opponent, 11-9,12-10 pts to pip his foe to the third spot. His reward was N50,000.

The remaining two schools, St. Joseph Academy, Amaimo, Ikeduru and Imperial Boarding Secondary School, Ubomiri that failed to finish in the top three were rewarded with N10,000 consolation cash gift each for honouring the competition.

Speaking at the event,the headline sponsor of the competition and Patron of the Association,Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu,who was represented by Prof.Protus Nathan Uzoma,said that the essence of the competition was to discover and project new talents,stressing that it was investment in the right direction. He noted that table tennis is a skill,which if acquired could put food on ones table.

He urged the youths not to go into anything that will cause social chaos and he announced the cash reward for winners, runners up and third positions.

In his remarks at the event,the Chairman of Sports Writers Association Imo State, Everest Ezihe,stated that the association is poised at reviving and transforming sports from the grassroots.

He disclosed that the association has met with the Sports Commissioner, Honourable Dan Ogu and other stakeholders in sports to intimate them on the need to revive sports in the state.

Ezihe used the medium to call on other bodies to partner with SWAN in grassroot sports development.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organising committee of the competition and SWAN national Financial Secretary, Sampson Orji, disclosed that Table Tennis is neglected in the South East, adding that it is their duty as watchdog of the society to inform the people on the imperatives of grassroot sports development.

He commended Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu,the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Dan Ogu and Elder Aloysius Nnawugo,the Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Diaspora Affairs and others who contributed towards the success of the competition.

History was made at the Basketball Court of the Dan Anyiam Stadium as the first night in the Owerri Basketball Classic got underway.

The competition which is sponsored by the South-East basketballers in diaspora and the Imo State Basketball Association, attracted Basketball spectectors who enjoyed existing Basketball on display by the young players from the south-east and south-south geopolitical zone of the country.

Dunked of by the Deputy Director in the Imo State Sports Commission, Mr Felix Abanobi, with host of other workers of the commission highlight day two of the competition which was the conclusion of the days game with the floodlight for the first time in the history of Basketball in Imo State, as lots of potentials on the second day of the competition.

In the games of day two, team Orange Room where 28 to 24 victor over AFA Sports team, Kollect outshined team Madu by 27 to 22, RevFico 17-18 Belk Guard, Emechionu 10-12 Somtochukwu, Chu 11-15 Elonu, Kelechi Anuna 22-10 Okoye in the first round of games in the second round.

Other results include; AFA Sports 12-16, Iwu 20-17 GoldWise, Kollect 21-27 Madu, Orange Rome 10-Madu 15 , Iwu 8 – 11 Beck Sqaud Ekworomadu 15-16

Players of Heartland have insisted that they would not back down from their plan not to train or kick the ball until they make their demands known to the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The players also blasted the club’s management led by Promise Nwachukwu over plans to serve them warning letters for act of indiscipline, our impeachable source revealed.

“Things have gone sour in the team as the challenge the players face is the antics the Nwachukwu management have now devised, which was to make the players forget about the five months salary arrears owed them.

“They question why he was purporting lies misinforming the Imo people on radio and television sports programmes that the players are been owed four months salaries instead of nine.

“For the records, Promise Nwachukwu was
the Coordinator of Heartland when Ifeanyi Chukudi was General Manager, and they had prepared the five months salary arrears voucher owed a few of the player for payment. Now, he claims that no NPFL club paid players during the Covid-19 first wave of the pandemic and lockdown, which is not true.

“The players have urged Nwachukwu to speak the truth by going back to the press and tell Imo people that a backlog of 9 months, 6 months and 4 months salaries are been owed them by the management of Heartland.

“By right, the players were to be ones to serve the management a warning letter for poor handling of their welfare and not the latter. The players affirmed that the letters are not meant for them as the management could go ahead to serve their family members such notice.”

They blasted the Nwachukwu leadership of the club off being a failure, as they had breached the contract terms they signed with the players.

“Nwachukwu has now termed the player indiscipline, he forgot that the players have every right to protest as the League Management Company(LMC) states that a player becomes a free agent if he’s owed more than two or three months salaries by his club.

Speaking further, “Key members of the Supporters Club also met with team on Wednesday to discuss on the way forward but the players insisted that they won’t back down as they all questioned why they (the Supporters Club) who regarded themselves as true fans were coming when things have gone sour.”

For the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo, popularly referred to as ACC, it was a story of a prophet honoured in his community, as he was on Friday April 9th, 2021, conferred with a traditional title of NWACHIGOZIRI 1, of Umualumaku Community in Ehime Mbano in Imo state.

Football enthusiasts from all around the nation, sports journalists, friends and well wishers converged in the ancient community of Umualumaku, in Ehime Mbano in Imo state to honour the man of many parts, class and cadre.

He is the man of many parts because, as an Igbo man, he speaks other Nigerian languages like Yoruba and Hausa.

He is a man of all classes because he finds it easy to relate with the all-mighty and the lowest class in the society, and his mixture with people of all classes in the society brings out the selflessness, tolerance and the sacrificial attributes in him.

That also makes him fit into any cadre of life at any point in time, and adjusts to any situation that comes his way, with not only his body language, but his words, breaking all barriers and obstacles because of the influential intelligence that God has endowed him with.

He is absolutely an embodiment of humility, transparency, a peace maker.

He is all in all in the round leather game. He was a player. He is a Retired Grade One Referee, a Journalist, a Commentator and Analyst, Administrator of repute, and the ‘Network’ himself.

Back then, he started cutting his administrative teeth when he was the Secretary of the Igbo Traders Football Association (ITFA), a football controlling organization under the auspices of the Igbo Community Association in Kwara state.

Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo (ACC) was born in February 2nd, 1976, to the family of late Mr. Casmier Ebonugwo and Ezinne Felicia Adamma Ebonugwo of Umuonyia Umualumaku Ehime Mbano, Imo State.

He attended the Hill top Primary School, Umualumaku and early Secondary School at Boys Secondary School Umualumaku.

He proceeded to complete his Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes at Government Day Secondary School, Nyanya, Abuja, before completing his Senior Secondary School (SSS) at Government Day Secondary School, Agbabiaka, Ilorin, Kwara state.

Chief Chukwuemeka graduated with First Degree Bsc (Geography) Certificate from the ‘Better by Far’ University, University of Ilorin, before obtaining his Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

He returned to the University of Ilorin to bag his Masters Degree in Public Administration.

ACC, as he is fondly called, played active football in his early years when he was nicknamed after the legend Cameroonian Roger Miller before injury knocked him out of playing active football.

For his passion and love for football, he joined the Nigeria football Referees Association (NFRA), Kwara State Council and rose to become a Grade One Referee.

He was the longest serving Secretary General of the Igbo Traders Football Association (ITFA) Ilorin, where he served meritoriously and was named the ‘’ITFA Ambassador’’.

As a seasoned sports journalist, ACC rose from PRO of Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to become the Vice Chairman and progressed to a 3rd term National Executive Officer of the Association for nine years.

He was Media Officer of Yobe Desert Stars Damaturu and a classroom teacher in Babura Jigawa State during his NYSC programme.

Chukwuemeka has traveled to several countries of the world notably Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Angola, Spain, Russia, UAE, South Africa etc.

He was amongst the Nigerian delegation to the NPFL-LALIGA tour to Spain as well 2018 world cup in Russia.

He also has a FIFA Certificate on Football Administration/Management, as well as a FIFA accredited TMS manager.

Presently, he is the Executive Secretary of NPFL Club Owners Association of Nigeria, the Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC Ilorin and member Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Strategic Studies Committee.

And because of his numerous contributions to the uplift of his community, the community, led by His Royal Highness, Eze C.U Okoro Aku 1, rolled out the drums to celebrate the true son of

Umualumaku Community, in Ehime Mbano, and also conferred on him, the NWACHIGOZIRI 1, alongside his wife, Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka. This is an honour even the reverred in the society do not get or deserve in their communities. And this has to do with many factors, underscored by huge sacrifice.

He was honoured for his contributions to unity and peace, sports development, support to community development and humanity.

Chief Chukwuemeka is the donor and sponsor of the yearly Umualumaku Unity Cup, donor to Ehime Mbano United FC, donor to Mbano Unity Cup competition and several community services to his people.

He is a member and pillar of Catholic Men Organization and a Man of the People with high level of integrity.

The honour to Chief Chukwuemeka coincided with the birthday of his mother, Ezinne Felicia Adamma Ebonugwo, who was 87th.

His wife, Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka is a banker, and a Master Degree holder (Business Administration) from LAUTECH University Ogbomoso.

Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo is blessed with five Children, Chichi, Chidozie, chiamaka, Chisara and Chijioke.

To the ‘Man of the people’, it’s no doubt, great honour to whom it’s due.

It was indeed a funfair on Friday in Ehime Mbano, Imo State as the Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka bagged chieftaincy as the Nwachigozir I of Umualumaku kingdom.

The chieftaincy conferment which took place at the palace of His Royal Highest, Christopher Okoro, the Aku I of Umualumaku was attended by the crème dela crème in the Nigerian sporting fraternity.

The astute administrator and seasoned sports journalist, who is also a member of the Strategic Studies Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was honoured by his community for his contributions to unity and peace, sports development, support to community development and humanity.

Speaking at the event, the Royal father of the Imualumaku kingdom, Christopher Okoro lauded the selfless service of Alloy Chukwuemeka to the growth and development of the kingdom on which merit he bestowed him with the title Nwachigoziri I.

“Alloy Chukwuemeka has really made us pride in this community and has proved himself to be a good ambassador of Umualumaku kingdom in the diaspora.

” He has uphold the sanctity of this community and has foster the unity of this kingdom the more from his annual football competition among youths of this kingdom.

“On this and many more, I deemed it worthy enough to bestowed on Bashie honorary traditional title as Nwachigori I. We hope he will plough his wealth of experience to the development of this kingdom, ” the royal father said.

In the same vein, the executive chairman of the club owners of Nigeria, Barrister Isaac Danladi eulogized Alloy Chukwuemeka as a man of virtues and integrity.

” Alloy Chukwuemeka is a man of integrity as whatever he promised he wouldn’t renege. He is a man of his word. I was earlier envisaged how he will sail in the midst of these aged chiefs. But I was averse by the adage that says a child that knows how well to wash hand will dine and wine with the aged.

“The honour is well deserved, considering the notable contributions of Alloy Chukwuemeka to his community, and what he stands for in Nigeria as a whole.

“What I have seen today shows he is indeed a proud son of the soil. And we wish him the best in his new callings,” Danladi added.

In his goodwill message Alloy Chukwuemeka expressed his appreciation to the royal father and the chiefs of the community for the honour and said the new title will afford him to do more to Umualumaku kingdom.

“The purpose for this chieftaincy title started about four years ago having been raised by his Royal highest, Christopher Okoro.

“With this honour, I shall strive hard to double my humanitarian services to the community. I hoped to raised indigene of this kingdom to stardom in the field of football,” Alloy promised.

Notable football stakeholders, the sporting media practitioners across the country, friends, well wishers and associates witnessed the ceremony.

The Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria ( Club Owners) have sent a strong Delegation to Ehime Mbano in Imo state as the Executive Secretary of the Association Alloy Chukwuemeka is to be honoured with a Chieftaincy title by his community.

The ceremony is billed to hold on Friday 9th April 2021 by 11 am at the palace of His Royal Highness Eze C.U Okoro Aku 1 of Umualumaku community.

The club Owners Delegation is to be led by the chairman of the Association and Nasarawa United FC boss Barr. Isaac Danladi, others include Enyimba boss Felix Anyansi Agwu, Pastor Emeka Inyama, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwudi, Prince Davidson Owumi, Chukwuma Ubah, Chief Okey Kpalukwu, Elder Paul Bassey, Kumbi Titiloye, and other NPFL and NNL club chairmen. 

LMC boss and 2nd vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF Malam Shehu Dikko will lead other NFF chieftains, Congress members and LMC directors to the event. 

Other Dignitaries include the Nigeria Pillar of Sports Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, ABS FC boss Mr Seni Saraki and a host of others.

Meanwhile, an advance team of the planning committee led by the National Coordinator of the club Owners Association of Nigeria and sporting Director of Enyimba FC Jude Anyadufu, alongside Former commissioner for Youths Gombe state Malam Farouk Yarma, former chairman of Heartland FC Goodfaith Etuemena and General Manager of Kwara United Malam Bashir Badawiy are set to be on ground in Owerri. 

Notable Football stakeholders and the Sporting Media practitioners across the country will on April 9th 2021 converge at the Palace of His Royal Highness Eze C.U Okoro (Aku 1) of Umualumaku Ehime Mbano in Imo state as he confers an honorary traditional Chieftaincy title on Mr &Mrs Alloy Chukwuemeka ACC , the Executive Secretary of the NPFL club Owners Association of Nigeria. 

The event which kicks off by 11am will attract members of the Football and sports fraternity from across Nigeria including friends, family and well wishers of the ABS FC Director of Football. 

Highlights of the double events celebrations  include the 87th birthday ceremony of his beloved mother EZINNE Felicia ADAMMA. 

Chukwuemeka is being honoured by his community for his contribution to unity and peace, sports development,  support to community development and humanity .

An astute Administrator and seasoned sports journalist, Alloy Chukwuemeka is also a member of the Strategic studies committee of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. 

He holds a bachelors  degree (BSC) in Geography from the ‘better by far’ University of Ilorin, a post graduate Diploma in Journalism (IIJ) and Masters Degree in Public Administration (Unilorin). 

Chukwuemeka is also a trained grade one football Referee , a devoted Catholic and a public affairs analyst. 

He is married to Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka, a banker and a Master Degree holder in Business Administration and blessed with 5 children Chichi, chidozie, Chiamaka, Chisara and Chijioke.

The founder and Chairman, Akarachi Foundation, Engr. Akarachi Amadi has eulogised the important role sports journalists play in the promotion and development of grassroots sports.

The young administrator who bagged a triple threats awards with Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter on Thursday noted that the role of sports journalists in nation-building cannot be overlooked hence his huge respect for the revered fourth estate of the realm.

He enjoined the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter to continue to partner with Akarachi Foundation and he further called on them to give more publicity to the 2020/2021 Mbaike Unity Football Tournament which his foundation is sponsoring with over 20 million naira.

“I have heard your appeal and I will treat it very soon. The football competition that we started about a month ago we are happy with the kind of traction it has gained since it started,” Amadi informed sports journalists during the interactive session where he was named as Distinguished Patron of Imo SWAN and also as the 2020 Imo Best Grassroots Football Development Award of Excellence recipient.

“I am also happy with the support I have received from SWAN collectively and individually. But I will also call on you to do more. This competition has cost over 20 million naira. We shall be given over six million naira in prizes on the final day. The logistics, health aspect, security, outfit, and kits for the teams have cost more. Amongst the highest cost is from the publicity committee.

“I am thrilled to have these sports juggernaut in Imo State behind me and I am happy that I am now a Patron of the Association in the State which I know will open more doors.

“The competition is our project and we must all support it. I am very happy to receive the first group in my corporate office that we are trying to bring it up to the expected standards.”

Engr. Akarachi Amadi also promised to give Imo SWAN office a facelift to ensure that it conforms with the latest trend in sports reporting and casting.

“Me and Bright Ahamefula (Secretary, Central Planning Committee (CPC), Mbaike Unity Football Tournament) will devote time to come and look at the office and then consider what we can do. I assure you that the office will get a touch of Akarachi Foundation very soon,” he assured.

The philanthropist while appreciating Imo SWAN for his investiture as a Patron of the Association and also naming him as the 2020 Imo Best Grassroots Football Development with a certificate of merit to go along with it also briefed Imo SWAN of their invitation to the final of the 2020/21 Mbaike Unity Football Tournament which comes up on January 3rd, 2021 at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Stadium, Iho, Ikeduru LGA.

“Thank you for the triple threats award and I am using this medium to invite everyone to the final of the 2020 /21 Mbaike Unity Football Tournament which holds on the 3rd January 2021 by 12noon at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Stadium, Iho, Ikeduru LGA.

“The chairman of the occasion is the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Professor Placid Njoku who will be there live. We shall also have other notable sons and daughters of Mbaitoli and Ikeduru LGAs will be there live.”

While speaking earlier, the Chairman, Imo SWAN, Everest Ezihe pointed out that Engr. Akarachi Amadi was carefully chosen after a painstaking survey which was conducted by the members association and he enjoined the Founder and Chairman of Akarachi Foundation to continue with his good works for humanity.

He promised the association’s unflinching support in the coverage of his events just as they have been doing with the publicity accorded the 2020/21 Mbaike Unity Football Tournament thus far.

Dignitaries at the event include Imo SWAN Chairman, Everest Ezihe, the Deputy Chairman, Johnkennedy Uzoma, Secretary, Tunde Liadi, and the National Financial Secretary of SWAN, Sampson Orji among other members and some aides of Akarachi Foundation.