Kingsley Obiukwu Foundation Fosters Harmony in Nnewi South with Unity Cup

Mary Nnah

The inaugural Kingsley Obiukwu Foundation Unity Cup 2024, held in Nnewi South Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, has left an indelible mark on the communities that participated. The football tournament, which brought together 10 towns, was more than just a sporting event – it was a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and community spirit.

The thrilling finale saw Ukpor Town emerge victorious, defeating Unubi Town 3-0 to claim the coveted title. The winning team took home a cash prize of N700,000, while Unubi received N500,000 as runners-up. Ezinifite Town secured third place with N300,000, and the remaining seven towns each received N70,000 in recognition of their participation and sportsmanship.
The prize distribution reflected the foundation’s commitment to rewarding excellence and promoting unity.

According to Kingsley Obiukwu, founder of the Kingsley Obiukwu Foundation, the Unity Cup was conceived to achieve two primary objectives: showcase the pool of talent in the communities and foster harmony among the participating towns.

“The Unity Cup is more than just a football tournament; it’s a platform for unity and collaboration in Nnewi South,” Obiukwu explained.
“Through football, we brought together the towns in a spirit of shared purpose, passion, and oneness. This tournament showcased the best teams from the participating towns, and they all put up impressive performances, displaying healthy competition”, he added.

Obiukwu emphasised the foundation’s commitment to promoting unity and community development. “The Unity Cup is here to stay, reminding us that together, we can achieve greatness. We’re proud to have provided a platform for these talented young players to shine and for the communities to come together in a celebration of sportsmanship.”

Chairman of the Unity Cup Planning Committee, Johnpaul Onyekineso, praised the winning town and participating communities.
“We celebrate Ukpor Town for their show of tenacity and sportsmanship, and everybody involved in the success of this tournament. This has strengthened the bonds between our towns, fostering a sense of shared identity and pride in our communities”, he said.

Fedilis Ubah, a player from Ukpor Town, expressed his gratitude to the foundation. “This tournament has truly been a unifying experience for us, bringing together people from all walks of life to our beautiful town. Through this event, we’ve reignited the spirit of love and brotherhood that defines our community.”

The Unity Cup 2024 has set a precedent for community-driven initiatives, demonstrating the power of sports to bridge divides and foster unity.
The participating towns, including Ukpor, Unubi, Ezinifite, Amichi, Osumenyi, Akwa-Ihedi, Ebenator, Utuh, Azigbo, and Ekwulumili, have all benefited from the tournament.

The Kingsley Obiukwu Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting community development and unity through sports and other initiatives.