By Ikenna Nwokedi 

Umuideke Village have emerged as the champions of the second edition of Amalukwue Football Tournament in Akwaeze Community domiciled in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Umuideke Village saw off Uruolu Village 4-3 via penalty shootouts in a fiesty final match played at the Akwaeze playground that end 1-1 at regulation time after Junior Ikeh gave the eventual champions an early lead in the 14th minute and an equalizer from Udoka Obidimma in the 62nd minute for Uruolu.

Umuideke Village for their heroic display took home the star prize of N1million, Uruolu took home the second prize of N500 thousand while last year's champions, Mgbuwa Village settled for the third prize of N300 thousand with Umuezeani getting a fourth place consolation prize of N100 thousand.

Chidiebere Ezeh of Umuideke Village emerged as the Best Goalkeeper, Somadina Amakor who scored a total of four goals for Umuideke was the Highest Goal Scorer while Chibueze Onyeme of Uruolu Village was voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the competition with a prize money of N10,000 for each category.

The second edition of the annual football programme was bankrolled by Chief Benjamin Onyeka Amalukwue (Dim Maduaburochukwu na Akwaeze) aimed at promoting sporting excellence among the youths of Akwaeze community with six villages comprising of the defending champions, Mgbuwa, Umuideke, Uruonyili, Umutu, Umuezeani and Uruolu all featuring in the football competition.

Speaking to the media, the President-General of Akwaeze community, Chief Osita Udemba commended Chief Amalukwue for sponsoring the football competition and other sporting programme geared towards empowering the youths and providing some form of entertainment for Akwaeze community in a special year of their mass return. He also congratulated the two finalists for their football heroics in the entertaining grand finale.

On his part, the immediate past President-General of Akwaeze Community, Prof. Ignatius Maduka stated that the football competition acts as a symbol of unity for the good people of Akwaeze and engaging the youths through sports which he described as multi-million dollar industry.

Also speaking, Chief Linus Amakor, a cabinet member of the Traditional Ruler, described the sporting programme as a prayer answered for Akwaeze in the area of sports development and talent hunt. Chief Amakor also prayed for the sponsor wishing him the very best in his endeavour. Another cabinet member, Chief Amobi Ibeabuchi also re-echoed the views of Chief Amakor.

Highpoints of the grand finale was the decoration of the winning teams, presentation of prize monies to the winning sides as well as the athletes who emerged victorious in the 100 metres event. 

The grand finale also witnessed the ceremonial kickoff performed by the Traditional Ruler of the community, HRM Igwe Christopher Okpala (Ezennebo III of Akwaeze).