The 2027 Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, has said the primary objective of the Ofuji Unity Cup is to promote unity among the people of Bende while providing a platform to discover and nurture football talents.
Speaking with journalists during the official kickoff of the tournament, Dr. Anyaso described football as a universal game that transcends ethnic, religious, and social boundaries.
“Football is a very important game that unites people without boundaries. It brings people together irrespective of where they come from, the language they speak, or their religion. The most important reason we organize this competition is to unite the people of Bende,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the continuity of the competition, Dr. Anyaso explained that the Ofuji Unity Cup is not a one-off event or a project tied to the 2027 election.
According to him, the tournament has been in existence and will continue beyond 2027. He added that if elected to represent Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, future editions would be bigger, more professionally organized, and feature the participation of former Nigerian international footballers.
He noted that beyond promoting unity, the competition would serve as a talent hunt capable of producing future football stars from the constituency.
Also speaking at the event, former Super Eagles captain and Chairman of Enyimba Football Club, Kanu Nwankwo, described the tournament as a genuine grassroots football initiative with immense benefits for young people.
According to Kanu, the competition provides youths with a productive platform, helping to keep them away from crime and other social vices while showcasing their football abilities.
He commended Dr. Anyaso for initiating the grassroots talent development programme and pledged that outstanding players from the competition would be considered for integration into Enyimba Football Club.
The Ofuji Unity Cup features 10 teams competing in an abridged league format. Five teams from Umunna and five from Ikwuisii will each play one another in their respective groups, with the group winners progressing to the final. Matches will be played across various communities in Bende Local Government Area.
The champions of the tournament will receive a cash prize of ₦4 million, while the runners-up will earn ₦1 million. Each of the other participating teams will receive ₦200,000.
In the tournament’s opening match, Ugwueke-Ezeukwu defeated Alayi 1-0. After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken in the 69th minute with a clinical finish that secured all three points for Ugwueke-Ezeukwu.
The ceremonial kickoff was performed by the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze.
The event was attended by several government officials, including the Abia State Commissioner for Sports, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Hon. Raymond Ukwa, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, and the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, among other dignitaries.
