Obiaruku: The Ukwuani Social Improvement League (USIL) 2nd annual sports competition tagged “Grassroots Olympics” aimed at fishing out talents recently had its grand finale at a fully packed Obiaruku Grammar School, with the final match between Owa-Abbi FC of Owa-Abbi and Urel FC of Obiaruku.
In the final match, Owa-Abbi team won the keenly contested battle by a lone goal scored by the tournaments highest goal scorer Festus, his ninth of the competition while Ukwuani FC defeated Immortal FC of Obinomba in a penalty shootout after 1-1 draws in the third place match. There was also athletics events which include 100m dash for both boys and girls.
Speaking to press men on 2016 edition, Comrade Chidi Uwabuofu, the chairman cum founder of USIL said it wasn’t easy putting the event together as funding remain the greatest challenge. ‘Most of the individuals and organisations that we approached for assistance declined mostly out of scepticism and distrust. Consequently, the competition featured only two sporting events – football and athletics- as against its original plan to feature more sports’, he said.
He also noted that the competition is used as a tool for social re-orientation in order to help curb youth restiveness which often degenerate to social insecurity and the proliferation of various kinds of social vices. In other words, USIL’s competition is our way of getting our youths actively and positively engaged towards local, regional and national development through the development of their talents and skills. It is also a model for grassroots sports
development and youth empowerment by providing enabling environment for sport to thrive.
USIL 2nd annual sports competition was a huge success by any stretch of imagination, a success owed to the tireless efforts of the Ukwuani Social Improvement League team, the generous support of sponsors, the sports lovers and fans.
He, however, respectfully thank those who had faith and supported the project while calling on the general public, well meaning individuals, churches, government and corporate organisations for support/sponsorship for the third Annual Sports Competition slated to
begin by December 2017.
