Ngenevu FC Wins Maiden Utaka Cup

The maiden edition of John Utaka-sponsored Grassroot Soccer Unity Cup has ended in Enugu, the coal city state with Ngenevu Football Club emerging winner after handing their opponent, Taylor| silver FC also of Enugu , 1-0.

Finals of the grassroot armature soccer competition, sponsored by the Enugu state born Portsmouth and Super Eagles striker, John Utaka, was played recently at the newly laid Artificial Turf stadium of Enugu campus of University of Nigeria, Enugu  campus (UNEC) in the state capital, Enugu.

The encounter, watched by hundreds of soccer fans also attracted some football loving personalities including the state Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Martin Idu, as well as mother of the international football star, Mrs. Roseline Utaka.  Speaking on behalf of his brother at the ceremony, elder brother to John, Ndubuisi Utaka, explained that the foreign-based player decided to sponsor the grassroot soccer tournament as part of his contribution towards keeping youths of the area busy and away from social ill since “ an idle mind is always the Devil’s workshop.”

According to the senior Utaka, the well organised competition, gulped over N5 million naira, 1 million went to the winners, while runners up got N .5 million, and  the 3rd placed competitors received N2 million.

John Utaka, he assured, is committed in promoting grass root soccer in the state and country in general, saying the Super Eagles striker, who hails from Udi local government Area of Enugu State intends making the competition an annual event.

Expressing his feelings to Sports Writers shortly after the end of the match, Enugu state commissioner for sports, Mr. Matthew Idu applauded the sponsor for his initiative, saying it falls in line with his philosophy of harnessing grass root talents.

He promised that his ministry would always encourage such developments at all times, calling on other foreign-based Nigerian players to emulate the good example of the Portsmouth striker, describing it as the best way to promote football in the country .