Residents of Elelenwo Community in Obio Akpor local Government Area of Rivers State, have commended the Youth President of the Community, Comrd. Nyebuchi Amadi for his dynamic leadership and the revival of the annual Youth football tournament in the Community.
Some of the residents who spoke to newsmen at the Elelenwo Youth Congress Football tournament held at the premises of the Rivers State Television (RSTV), applauded the revival and restoration of the football competition stating that it will help to boost the peace and strengthen unity in the community.
Traditional Ruler of Elelenwo community, HRH. King Sunny Weli Chukwu told newsmen that the resuscitation of the annual football competition by the Youth President will not only rekindle peace among youths in the kingdom but as well fish out budding football talents in the area.
While urging the organisers to sustain the event, the king commended the leadership of the youth body for their ingenuity in the management of the community youth organisation adding that the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the community was the result of the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the community.
On his part, an elder in the community, Chief Princewill Igweze Worlu expressed delight at the event and commended the leadership of the youth body for using the competition to bring peace and oneness in the community.
“You know that football brings peace, no querreling but inspires love among others in the community. This should be organized regularly,” he stated.
Chief World equally expressed appreciations to the Member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Hon. Okey Chinda and the Paramount Ruler of the community, Eze Sunny Weli who he said are Patrons of the body, for their support and assistance to the youth body. According to him, the revival of the age-long football games will move the community to greater heights and enhance the development strides of the area.
An indigene of the community and Leader of the Obio Akpor
Legislative Assembly, Rex Mila Abuchi Amadi who also represented the Council Chairman, Hon. Gift Worlu at the event, applauded the Elelenwo Youth Executive for acknowledging the power of football as a force in forstering unity and peace adding that bringing back the annual football competition will rejuvenate the community. Rt. Hon. Amadi described the incumbent Youth President as one who was well prepared for leadership and service to the people of Elelenwo community.
“We have done our best to ensure that this tournament becomes a source of unity to our people.” He urged the organisers and participants in the tournament to ensure fair play, adhere to rules and respect for one another in order to sustain the tempo of the event.
A spectator, Lolo Juliet Okaro who also spoke to newsmen described the tournament as a unity match that will unite youths in the community, noting that it will assist in taking the youths away from youthful vices and as well enhance their physical and mental well-being.
“It is a unity match and we the women should come out and support the unity of the youths and the community,” she stated.
Chairman, Elelenwo Youth Football Tournament committee, Comrd. Stanley Iheanyi Amadi told newsmen that the tournament was aimed to unite and bring together residents of the community and to also showcase the talents and skills of youths in the area adding that selections of players for the tournament was made open for both the indigenes and non indigenous residents in the community.
“We are emulating what goes on in the English Professional League. There is no segregation in the selection of players, as long as the players are domiciled in the community. It is a one month event. Teams are composed of six teams with two each from the three communities in the Kingdom grouped in A and B format,” he said.
The EFAC Chairman gave kudos to the Youth President for the revival of the tournament after over ten years of inactivity stressing that it will add to the joy of residents of the community during seasons celebrations.
President of the Youth body, Comrd. Nyebuchi Amadi in a chat with the media, explained that he decided to revive the tournament to bring out the hidden talents and skills abounding in the community stressing that it was a pledge he made to the community during his campaigns for the leadership of the Youth organization.
The Youth Leader who acknowledged the challenging tasks in leading the body since his election in January, 2024 , however expressed his determination and commitments to take the youth organization to greater heights.
“Football brings peace to the World. The tournament is not only for Elelenwo youths but involves all youths residents in the community,” he said.
Comrd. Nyebuchi charged youths in the community to shun drugs abuse, kidnapping, violence and other criminal vices but rather strive to get education adding that those who wish to take to football should always be at their best of form.
The kick off ceremony for the tournament was performed by HRH, Eze Sunny Weli with other dignitaries, Youths and members of the public at the event.
