Yuletide: Ozara football fiesta kicks off in grand style

By Anthony N. Ahize

Ozara community in Oru west local government of Imo state was agog on Thursday 28th of and Friday 29th December as the 2023/2024 Ozara football fiesta kicks off In grand style.

The opening fixture which ear marked the kickoff ceremony featured the all dominating Umuobioma village trading tackles against resilient Etitilabo village which ended in a 2-2 share of the spoils.

The kickoff ceremony was performed by the sole sponsor of the male tournament Eric Upright Ngaobidi along side Ozara town Union (OPU) President Mr Kingsley Azara in the company of his Executive cabinets and members of the Ozara football fiesta planning committee.

Meanwhile the female tournament Maduka Unity cup kicked off on Friday 29th of December with high flying Umuopkoroma Village losing unceremoniously 0-2 to the energetic Aboh village in a hilarious but pulsating encounter.

The female tournament ceremonial kickoff was also done by the sole donor Mr Maduka Onuba on Friday 29th in the company of the town union president and the planning committee at the central school football pitch Ozara.

In an exclusive interview with the statesman newspaper, the traditional ruler of Ozara Autonomous community, His Royal Highness Eze Jonas Onyemaechi Ahize (Ogbuehi X of Ozara) lauded the donors for their magnanimity while encouraging other well meaning Ozara sons to support this gesture. He also praised the Kingsley Azarama led OPU Executives and the planning committee for the commitment and ideas while encouraging the entire Ozara youths to key into this sporting activities to showcase their talents.

“ on behalf of the entire Ozara community, i am saying a big thank you to the donors of this Ozara football fiesta cup Mr Eric Ngaobidi and Mr Maduka Onuba for this magnanimity and kind gesture.

I’m also calling on other well to do sons and daughters of Ozara community to key into this gesture and emulate this donors while on the same note also beckon on the Ozara youths to key into this sporting activities because it will be an opportunity to discover hidden sporting talents in Ozara.

I will also not fail to applaud the Kingsley Azarama led OPU Executive for putting this fiesta together and also the tireless working organizing committee for the show of commitment.

This football tournament will help foster, peaceful coexistence, love and unity of purpose in Ozara.

This year’s edition promises to be remarkable in the history of this community. “ Eze Ahize concluded

Other fixtures for both male and female are listed below;

23/12. Umubiomu vs Ettilabu

29/12 Umuopkoroma vs Aboh

30/12 Aboh vs Umuezike

30/12 Umuobimu vs Ubahalanawau

31/12 Umuogu vs Umuopkoroma

1/1 Umuogu vs Etitilabu

1/1 Etitilabu vs Umuopkoroma

2/1 Ubahalanawu vs Umuezike

2/1 Umuezike vs Ubahalanwau

4/1 Umuobiomu vs Umuogu

4/1 Umuopkoroma vs Ettilabu

5/1 Ubahalanwau vs Umuezike

5/1 Aboh vs Ubahalanwau

6/1 Umuogu vs Etitilabu

6/1 Umuopkoroma vs Umuogu

7/1 Aboh vs Etitilabu

8/1 Umuobiomu vs Umuopkoroma

8/1 Umuogu vs Aboh

Meanwhile the matches for the female category will take place at 7am while the male category will take place in the evening by 4pm.