By Chidi Uwabuofo
Obiaruku: From December 5th-30th, 2016, the Ukwuani Social Improvement League, USIL will be holding another one of her fantastic sporting competitions. The competition is tagged “Grass-root Olympic” because the idea in itself is aimed at encouraging grass-root sport (game development), and talent discovery. Unlike the maiden edition, it will feature five sports and games viz; football, athletics, swimming, scrabble and chess, it will be open to all interested teams and sport lovers within Delta State, however, preference will be given to participants from Ukwuani/Ndokwa.
About USIL:
USIL is an organisation whose priority is to enhance social development through the promotion of sporting activities at the local level. It is also a humanitarian and educational organisation founded upon the desire for general uplifting of the society. The organisation is convinced that sport and other talent based activities can foster local, regional and effective national development and assist in correcting the numerous ills plaguing the society. In other words, USIL was inspired by the need for peace, security and community development.
USIL Competition:
USIL Annual Sports Competition is in consonance with the aims and objectives of USIL. The competition is an active instrument for social engagement, social integration and social development. In other words, it is geared towards enhancing social harmony, youth empowerment and the revival of sports at the grass-root level, thus bringing our youths together, to build and promote positive ties and a healthy relationship among our communities. It is a platform for USIL and other groups that are interested in social development to provide the youth with the much needed civic education.
The USIL initiative was first launched in 2015 with unprecedented success. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support received from the general public. More than 2000 spectators were in attendance not to mention the dignitaries and the participants, and the events was covered by the local newspapers, camera men and photographers, including representatives of Odini Nma Ndokwa TV, London.
Virtually everyone who attended the maiden edition was full of praise for the idea and the organisers. According to Mr Maxwell Okujene, a co-founder while talking to press men, “we are amazed at the turn out, and public trust. We knew it was going to be a successful event but not to this magnitude, considering the fact that this is our maiden edition”.
Putting the event together was not easy as USIL’s greatest challenge was funding. Most of the individuals and organisations that it approached for assistance declined mostly out of scepticism and distrust. Consequently, it featured only three sporting events, viz; football, swimming and athletics as against its original plan to feature more sports and games.
~Football: Football featured a four group-stage tournament that comprised 16 teams from various Ukwuani communities. In the end, ALL FANS FC Obiaruku, OWAH- ABBI FC Owah-abbi, NUMELO FC Umuaja won the 1st, 2nd, and the 3rd positions respectively and each of the teams received trophies and cash reward of #70,000, #50,000, and #25, 000 respectively.
Swimming: Most of the athletes who competed in the swimming event were drawn from primary and secondary schools in Ukwuani Local Government Area. 96 winners emerged (male and female categories) in the various swimming events competed for – 1500 metre freestyle, 100 metre backstroke, 200 metre backstroke, 100 metre breaststroke, 200 metre breaststroke, 100 metre butterfly, 200 metre butterfly, etc, and the participants received gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as books and writing materials.
~Athletic: 15 winners emerged from both female and male categories in the various athletics events – 100 meters, 200 meters, 1500 meters. The victors received cash reward of #2,000 (1stprize), #1500 (2nd prize), #1,000 (3rd) respectively.
Talent Discovery:
The competition is equally aimed at seeking out emerging and rare talents and it is a platform for exposure of talents in sport for future elite success.
In football for example, Oghali Chukwunalu Shedrack and Kelvin Otoya who participated in the competition with the former helping his team, ALL FANS FC to win the tournament with a superb strike in the final, now play first team football for Warri Wolves FC. They both have been officially signed by our own Warri Wolves FC who ply its trade in Nigeria premier league.
In swimming, many talents were discovered and they are now being camped and seriously trained by their coaches for local and eventually, national and international assignments.
In Athletics, one Mr Obed Osajuokwu from Obinumba who epitomised great athletic potential earned a call for State assignment. In female category, Miss Ojumah Nkechi from Obiaruku was a revelation. At just 17 years, she’s outperform others, and she is indisputably, the current best tested female athlete in Ndokwa.
#Sponsors/Supporters:
The competition (2015 edition) was sponsored and supported by;
•The executive chairman of Ukwuani LGA, Bar Benedicta Ndudi Osakwenih .
• Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Friday Ossai Osanebi
•Honourable Commissioner for water resources, Hon Fidelis Okennmor Tilije.
• The C.E.O of Steve Nnams Motors, Obiaruku.
•Jerry Manchandise Buiding Store Obiaruku
• Ogbondokwa Development Initiative.
•Dr Anthony Achugbe, Director of Sports Delsu, Abraka
•Dr Sunday Ofili Ibobor, Senior Lecturer, Uniben, and the founder of Umuebu Neighbourhood House.
•Express Kitchen/Garden Bar, Obiaruku
•Mr Ifeanyi Onyejese
•Mr Joel Olie
•Mr Uzu Edewor
•Dec. Sumele Victoria Eyesan
• Dr Osani Dumbi Osani, Senior lecturer (rtd.), Delsu
•.Mr Uche Opia
•Comrade Solomon Nwador
•Mr Sunday Tilije, Head Coach, Swimming, Delta State Sport Commission, Obiaruku.
• Miss Idiagbor Egoyibo, Organising Secretary, Delta State Sports Commission.
•Coach Mike Onwugbolu
•Comr Emeka A Enebeli and Esy Oluwafemi, Odini Nma Ndokwa Tv, London
#Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion include:
•Bar Benedicta Ndudi Osakwenih, Executive Chairman, Ukwuani LGA
•Hon Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, Commissioner for Water Resources, Delta State.
•Mr Sunday Tilije, Head Coach Swimming, Delta State Sports Commission.
•Miss Idiagbor Egoyibo, Organising Secretary, Delta State Sports Commission.
•Dr Anthony Achugbe, Director of Sports, Delsu
•Coach Chiedu Vicent, Head Coach Athletic, Delta State Sports Commission.
•Rt Hon Friday Ossai Osanebi (in proxy)
•Representatives of Zatara Sport, renowned soccer scouting organisation
• Comr Enudi Marcus, Save Ndokwa Nation Group (SNNG)
•.Chief MC Opone
• Chief B.J.K Ekezue, the Ogbuimi of Akashieda Kingdom
• Comr Emeka A Enebeli, Odini Nma Ndokwa Tv, London
• Hon. Harrison Enujeke, Supervisory Councillor (Agric.) Ukwuani LGA
•.Amb. Chuka Uboh, president of CONPA
•.Representatives of Anti-Cult
• Hon Kester Madu, Councillor Ward 9, Ukwuani LGA
• Miss Tracy Pen-Ogbolu, founder of Ogbondokwa Development Initiative
• Chief Huxley Adinebo Unumadu, chairman of Ogbondokwa Development Initiative
We at USIL wish to urge the general public, well meaning individuals, organisations, etc to key into this initiative, through their support in whatever capacity and to join us in our quest for social development in Ndokwa/Ukwuani land. Your support is very valuable to us.
Contact:
PMB: 67, Obiaruku Delta State
Phone: 08034402391, 08106468179, 08063419536
Email: ukwuanisocialimprovement@yahoo.com
