By Obaseki Anthony in Warri on December 5, 2019

The 2019 edition of the popular Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Cup Competition, also known as Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace and Unity Cup, has come and gone but the memories linger. The curtain was drawn on the tournament on Friday, November 29, 2019 with N2.2 million cash awards and consolation prizes splashed on the competitors.

Spectators at the Benikrukru Township Field cheered Ajudiabo FC and Kunukunuma FC which locked horns for the third place prize, as well as Ogidigben FC and Okerenkoko FC which had a clash of the titans for the star prize.

Ajudiabo FC thrashed Kunukunuma FC 4-1, while Ogidigben beat Okerenkoko FC 5-4 through penalty shootouts after 1-1 stalemate at full time.

The football competition has since its inception a few years ago served as a bridge builder in the Warri area. It has also proven to be the most valuable machinery for helping Ijaw and Itsekiri youths to kick-start their football careers. 

The competition ended in a peaceful manner while some stakeholders and dignitaries with passion for peaceful coexistence between Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups extolled the sterling qualities of the host Comrade Sheriff Mulade whose thirst and passion for peace led to his initiating the football championship.

For his part, Comrade Mulade glorified God Almighty for the vision, and commended members of Local Organising Committee (LOC) who contributed their experiences, moral and physical support to the success of the two weeks competition.

He advised others to honour invitations for peace building and peaceful coexistence events such as this so that their names can be part of history.

Comrade Mulade noted that the presence of dignitaries from within and outside Ijaw and Itsekiri lands at the competition, helped to boost the people’s joy and also created the feeling that government would bridge the peace gap beyond politics.

While presenting cash awards to the winners, Mulade announced that preparations for the third edition of the competition would soon commence.

He said the football game would specially focus on promoting peaceful coexistence among the youths from the three ethnic groups, using sports to cement relationships, stressing that the youths of today are the future leaders who would develop the area.

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 5, 2019

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