By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Several markets and traders in Anambra State rake between ₦100,000 and ₦3m on Friday following the grand finale of the Anambra State maiden traders cup organized by the State Sports Development Commission in collaboration with the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).
The sporting activities, which included tennis, table tennis, draught, ncho, draft and football, was participated by eighty-two markets. But Iron Dealers Market Atani emerged champions in football after defeating Nkwo Umunze Market 2m by a score of 4-1. The champions went home with ₦3m, while Umunze return home with ₦2m as second position, as Ajasa line with took third position raked ₦1m.
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who presented the prizes to some of the winners, described the game as "fantastic", even as he stressed the importance of sports in his vision for Anambra State.
"This sports competition is a good initiative which aligns with my vision for a sports economy in the state. Sports give money and a healthy body because health is wealth. I'm very happy our traders find time to exercise both the mind and body. Those who don't exercise, please begin to do so," he added.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Patrick-Estate Onyedum applauded the governor for giving sports a facelift, which according to him, establishment of Solution FC, organising different sport festivals and sponsoring athletes from the State to participate at national games.
Speaking in an interview, the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, said he was impressed by the performance of his colleagues and charged them to get set for subsequent competition as Anambra State would feature more sporting events in subsequent championship.
Factcheckng reports that winners of other sporting events in the tournament equally smiled homes with mouthwatering prizes and money.