By Douglas Princemola
Tournament was officially flagged off on 23rd December 2025 at the historic Avu Ancient Kingdom, marking the beginning of a sporting event aimed at promoting unity, youth development, and community engagement through football.
The colourful opening ceremony was performed by Chief Charles Orie, who arrived with his entourage amid a warm reception from community leaders, football enthusiasts, and residents of Avu and its environs. The event drew a large crowd, reflecting the importance of sports as a unifying force within the kingdom and beyond.
The tournament is proudly sponsored by Chief Wisdom Ekewuba, popularly known as Odenigbo, whose commitment to grassroots sports development and community empowerment was widely acknowledged during the ceremony. Speaking through representatives, the donor emphasized the role of football in fostering peace, discipline, and positive youth engagement.
Traditional rulers, youth leaders, and sports stakeholders present at the event commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. They expressed optimism that the tournament would not only discover football talents but also strengthen bonds among participating communities.
The Odenigbo Unity Football Tournament is expected to run through the festive period, featuring competitive matches among local teams, and is poised to become a recurring sporting event in the Avu Ancient Kingdom.
