By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Chibuzor Njideofor Foundation (CNF), a nongovernmental and not-for-profit organisation at Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State has moved to change the lives of youth through sports.
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| Dr Chibuzor Njideofor, the sponsor |
CNF, on new year, harvested and celebrated talented footballers, referees, coaches and clubs over their excellent performances at 2024 edition of Nnewi unity cup sponsored by the founder, Dr Chibuzor Njideofor.
The game which ended with team Aston Villa winning ₦1,000,000 as the champions, had the Man United team going home with ₦500,000 as first runner up and team Okpuno retiring home with ₦300,000 as second runner up, even as 4 teams which made it to semifinals received ₦50,000 each as consolations.
The sponsor also distributed bags of rice and noodles to the teams and players, while rewarding the best player, Mr Izuchukwu, the best goalkeeper, Mr Uchenna Nwodinaka, the best defender, Mr Emeka Obi, and the highest goal scorer, Mr Chimezie Chukwujekwu, who scored 5 goals.
Others were the 4 referees and coaches that participated in the league, even as the benefactor promised to sponsor the 2025 edition of the football, adding that he would assist the champions and harvested stars to reach their Zenith in soccer.
He said he was interested in soccer because he has been a coach for three consecutive seasons at Nnewi and won titles, and would therefore continue investing into it having also a football academy in conjunction with Fidelis Chukwu, Coach of Rangers International, Enugu.
"We are hoping that we can use our little resources to sponsor the talents across the world. The best goalkeeper last year is now in England. One of the players who participated in the game last year got signed up with the Nigerian football team.
"We are trying our best to see that every talented footballer in Nnewi is assisted to reach their zenith. We are trying to harness the talented young footballers because every talent you harness can impact many lives than you ever imagined. By doing this, we are also helping the government to create jobs and end poverty," he added.
Also speaking, the President General, Otolo Nnewi, Hon. Izuchukwu Nwankwo, who added ₦50,000, ₦30,000 and ₦20,000 to the winning teams, urged the youth to strive to impact lives positively using football and other sporting activities.
On his part, the President General Akwụ, Hon. Adikwulu Amobi, encouraged the sponsor to sustain the tempo, which he saw as a great vision to harness football champions for Nigeria and the world at large.
