By Obaseki Anthony , Asaba on October 9, 2019

The Delta State Sports Commission has officially endorsed the 2019 edition of the Ijaw/Iteskiri Peace and Unity Cup Football Competition. This was made known when the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Honourable Ken Nwamuocha, recently led other members of the LOC on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa.

Welcoming the committee members, Chief Okowa commended their hard work and dedication towards having a successful championship.

“We acknowledge the huge awareness and keen interest that the Ijaw/Iteskiri Peace and Unity Cup Football Competition has generated in the state and country at large.

“I want to commend the brain behind the tournament, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, for his commitment towards grassroots developmental football and sustaining it over the years,” Okowa said.

The seasoned sports administrator emphasised the desire of the present administration in the state led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to use sports as a tool to unite, empower and expose youths in the state to become self reliant and independent.

“The Delta State Government is interested in any project that seeks to develop the game in the state, and we thank you for this stride, while counting on your continuous good working relationship with us. The state sports commission will always keep our doors open to support you, so please feel free to always count on us for any form of assistance in ensuring you have a hitch free tournament,” Okowa said.

Responding to the competition’s endorsement, Hon. Nwamuocha, thanked the state sports commission for its support.

He said that the tournament would as usual draw participants from the two ethnic tribes living along the coastal region of the state, the Ijaws and the Itsekiris, with the main of engaging the youths so as to pull their minds always from vices that would disrupt the peaceful coexistence already being enjoyed in the area.

“The official endorsement by the Delta State Sports Commission for this year’s edition is a testament that Nigerians should expect nothing but the best in terms of grassroots football. We can only but pledge to abide by the rules of the game, in terms of officiating and players’ conduct,” Nwamuocha said.

He further charged intending teams to go to the various locations where they can get the forms and register to enable them participate in the tournament.

For his part, Comrade Sheriff Mulade thanked the Chief Okowa for his support for the competition.

He said: “Getting the nod and support for any football competition by the sports commission is not a ride in the park. Indeed, the sports commission subjects initiatives of this kind to close scrutiny to ensure that the concept of grassroots developmental football, which the body is passionate about, is truly met. This is the second edition, and one can only predict that it will wax stronger, as I urge participating teams to always remember the idea behind the competition, which is living in peace with one another in other to attract meaningful development to the area.”

The tournament will kick off on November 16, 2019, with two centres – Ugborodo and Benikrukru – to host the 16 teams.

•PHOTO: Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 9, 2019

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