By Ikenna Nwokedi 

Ifitedunu Community has emerged champions of the male football event of the 2024 Dunukofia Championship.

A brace from Chibuike Udeobi on both halves in the 45th and 89th minutes was enough to seal the win for Ifitedunu to take home the trophy and star prize of one million naira while Nawgu and Ukpo who finished second and third respectively settled for 500 thousand naira and 300 thousand naira respectively.

Chibuike Udeobi's exploits was rewarded as he emerged as the most valuable player of the tournament while Promise Nwana of Nawgu clinched the top Goalkeeper award gong.

Earlier in the day, Ukpo obliterated Umunnachi by three unreplied goals to emerge champions of the female football event with a top prize of 400 thousand naira as Umunnachi and Nawgu who came second and third got 200 thousand naira and 100 thousand naira respectively with Miss Chimuanya Ewudo of Ukpo community claiming the award of the most valuable player.

Speaking to the media shortly after the closing ceremony, the Chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Ozumba described the maiden edition of the 2024 Dunukofia Championship as awesome and a unifying tool geared towards engaging the youths of the communities domiciled in the LGA to showcase their sporting talents and curb social vices.

Hon. Ozumba also disclosed that the 2025 edition will be bigger with introduction of other team sporting events such as Basketball, Tennis, board games comprising of Chess, Scrabble and other local sporting events. He appreciated the various sponsors and stakeholders who played a role towards the success of the event.

On his part, the President-General of Ifitedunu Community and erstwhile Chairman ASUU UNIZIK Chapter, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh praised his boys for their doggedness and commitment in winning the trophy despite the short time available for preparation.

Ufoaroh eulogized the children of Late Prince Sir Engr. Godwin and Princess Lady Cecelia Obinabo for making it possible for Ifitedunu Community to be part of the 2024 Dunukofia Championship by sponsoring the teams. The PG of Ifitedunu further appreciated the Obinabo family for their role in supporting the growth of sports in the community and human capital development.

Highpoints of the colourful closing ceremony was decoration of the teams and athletes with winning medals and presentation of their prize monies.