By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The sponsor of the Remmy Uche Soccer Challenge Cup has informed that the competition is geared towards empowering Anambra youths through sports using the instrumentality of football as the King of Sports.

These were the assertions of the Sponsor of the annual Remmy Uche Soccer Challenge Cup and CEO Remmy Uche Group Ltd, Chief Surveyor Remigius Uchenna Anyadike (Akuzaza, Akuchukwu 1 of Umudioka) during a chat with reporters at the opening ceremony of the 2023 edition of the championship which took place at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium Onitsha on Sunday, 12th November 2023.

Chief Surv. Remigius Uchenna Anyadike revealed that the competition which is in its third year is aimed at providing a platform for talented young footballers in the state to showcase themselves to the state and beyond as well as to provide a sporting atmosphere in the state through football. 

“I am delighted to see the competition kick-starting today which is in its third edition. This is based on the love I have for sports and the willingness to empower Anambra youths to be meaningfully engaged through sports by showcasing their skills on the field while playing football. The essence is to also provide an opportunity for the players to seek for greener pastures through football and create a sporting atmosphere in the state. 

Chief Anyadike revealed that the competition has aided football scouts to discover budding and promising talents with three players who played in the 2022 edition now playing for professional clubs in Europe, five more playing in the top tier of Nigerian Club football, Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) while one of the competition’s product also represented the country at the U-17 level.

"This annual football competition has produced a player playing for the National U-17 team, three more now playing in Europe while more than five players are now playing for various clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). This goes to show that the competition is making real impact in the lives of the youths and we are spurred to do much more.

“For this edition, the winner will go home with three million naira while the second placed team will smile home with two million naira and third placed team going home with one million naira with other consolation prizes as well which will be unveiled on the final day of the competition,” Anyadike stated.

Chief Anyadike called on teams to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship during the course of the competition while ensuring they adhere to the rules of the competition. He also commended the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) led by Austin Nwankwo and his team for a job well done in ensuring a hitch free competition in the past two editions leading to this year's competition.

In the opening match of the season 3 of the Remmy Uche Soccer Challenge Cup, Defending Champions, De Godz FC defeated Niger Stars FC by two unreplied goals scored through Nnamdi Ferdinand and Innocent Aniekwe in the 6th and 45th minutes of the match respectively.