A Nigerian philanthropist based in South Africa, Chief Emmanuel Edeani, has promised to make the Nara Community Unity Seasonal Football Tournament an annual event.
An ex-staff of Enugu State Ministry of Information, Henry Ogbu, a native of the community, made this known to the newsmen, yesterday in Enugu.
Edeani sponsored the first edition of the event which ran from Dec. 26, 2018, to Jan. 3, 2019, at Nara, Nkanu East Local Government Council of Enugu State.
Ogbu said that the competition designed in organisational structure made it possible for participants to form teams on the criteria of where they based.
He said that it was of two phases comprising home and abroad with two trophies which served them.
He said that the just concluded tournament was won by Foxes Football Club of Owerri over the home team, Local Enyimba Football Club of Aba.
Ogbu said that the aim of the tournament was to encourage unity and promote hard work among the people both home and in Diaspora.
“The tournament serves as a clarion call to Nara people in Nigeria and Diaspora to return home and contribute in making the area more productive and serves as one of the numerous legacies we are going to leave behind to ensure a progressive Nara,’’ he said.
Ogbu described the 2018 competition as successful as many dignitaries graced the football tournament.
According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Prince Lawrence Eze, who presented the trophy to the winners on Jan. 3 was one of the dignitaries.
He also recalled that past players from the community who distinguished themselves in football like Amaechi Ani, who once played for Rangers International Football Club of Enugu was honoured.