In its bid to discover talents in football, the Ezzagu Ezekuna Unity Cup has kicked-off at the Onueke Township Stadium in Ezzagu South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Unity Cup was donated and sponsored by a philanthropist, Darlington Ugota, drawing 42 autonomous communities across the Ezza clan.
The football tournament, aimed at fostering unity, love, and peaceful coexistence, also serves as a platform for discovering and nurturing young footballers.
The opening match of the competition featured Abaomege and Ishinkwo communities, a fixture deliberately selected to promote reconciliation and strengthen bonds between the two communities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ugota described the Unity Cup as more than just a football competition, stressing that it is a deliberate effort to heal old wounds and build lasting unity among the Ezza people.
He called for December 27 of every year to be set aside as a special day for Ezza people to come together and celebrate their shared identity.
According to him, sustained unity remains the foundation for development and progress, noting that the tournament was designed for two major reasons: to promote peace and to harness the abundant football talents within Ezza land.
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He revealed that outstanding players from the competition would be exposed to international opportunities, with some expected to be sent abroad.
Ugota also highlighted the achievements of the Ezza football academy, which was unveiled last year and registered with the Nigerian League 1.
He recalled the academy’s impressive outings against several clubs in Cross River State, some of which were streamed live, expressing optimism that Ezza’s talents could one day feature in the Super Eagles.
The tournament sponsor assured participating youths that they would not be abandoned after being exposed but would be guided toward achieving their football dreams on the global stage.
He further announced that the finals of the competition would take place on January 7, urging communities to mobilize massively and add colour to the event by decorating the venue in green, white, and green.
He also unveiled plans to expand the tournament next year, including the production of a brochure that will allow Ezza indigenes to freely advertise their businesses as part of broader economic empowerment.
In his remarks, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu, commended Ugota for using sports as a tool for unity and peace-building.
He prayed for the sustenance of peace and harmony among all communities in Ezza nation and encouraged continued support for initiatives that promote togetherness and youth development.
The Ezza Ezekuna Unity Cup is expected to continue in the coming days, with matches scheduled across participating communities, as excitement builds toward the grand finale.
