Captain Samuel Edeh Memorial Peace Cup excites Otukpo youths
Determined to promote peace and unity among youths in Idoma Nation, respected activist and lawyer, Barr Paul Edeh’s led Raw Gold Group is set to organize Captain Samuel Edeh Memorial Peace Cup which is a tournament intended to honour his late father.
The football competition, which is aimed at discouraging social vices among Idoma youths, according to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee would feature teams drawn from Otukpo LGA of Benue.
Addressing newsmen last week, the LOC chairman, John Enyi, otherwise known as Iron Bender said the competition, which would kick-start on February 6 through April 7 would be the first of its kind in the Idoma Nation.
In his words:“The opening ceremony is slated February 16 at St. Francis Primary School, Otukpo where 24 teams from Otukpo would be slugging it out for the star price.
“As you can see, we have given out footballs to 24 teams and nets to the schools whose football pitches we will be hosting the tournament. It would interest you to know that four semi finalists will be given brand-new jerseys and trophy to the winner at the final stage of the competition,” he said.
Also speaking to our correspondent, the brain behind the competition, Barr Paul Edeh said the reason for the name Captain Samuel Edeh Memorial Peace Cup was honour his late father whose passion for peaceful coexistence of the Idoma Nation was unrivaled. He said that the intended outcome of the competition was to use the game of football to preach unity amongst the Idoma people as well as discourage the youths from involving themselves in social vices. He said further that “the competition was also an avenue to immortalize his late dad, Captain Samuel Ankwa Edeh, who was a renowned peacemaker until his death last year.”
Barr Edeh recounted that this competition is the first phase of the competition which would draw participants from only Otukpo Local Government Area with four teams expected to qualify to be joined by 1e other teams to be drawn from local governments from Zone C senatorial district of Benue State.
He bemoaned the dearth of some defunct foodball clubs in Idoma land. “There was a time clubs like Obeya babes, Apa United were making Idoma nation proud in football but today, the story is the other way round. We intend bring back our lost glory.
“We want to use this avenue to revive the demise of football in our land. The interesting part is that Idoma United FC will be birthed from this tournament to compete in the division 3 league,” he assured.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the captains of the participating team described the competition as a welcome development. He thanked the the initiator of the project Barr Edeh for the innovation.
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Treasure Orokpo
A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.
