By Binebai Princewill

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Tebujor Fc to clash with Ugborodo Fc at opening ceremony

The Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup otherwise known as Comrade Sheriff Mulade Peace and Unity Cup assumes a more interesting dimension following the successful conclusion of draws and fixtures for the various football teams enlisted for the tournament.

The draws and fixtures were conducted yesterday in the open at the Oboro Ultra-Modern Multi Purpose Playground, Benikrukru, a major oil producing community in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State by the technical team of the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup, sponsored by Comr. Sheriff Mulade.

It would be recalled that representatives of the 16 football teams enlisted for the tournament including their coaches were present for the draws and fixtures for the 2019 edition of the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup at the Oboro Ultra-Modern Multi Purpose Playground, Benikrukru.

The 16 teams were drawn into four (Groups) A-D with the Itsekiris having Eight (8) teams as well as the Ijaws.
The groups include:

Group A

Okerenkoko

Kokodiagbene

Oporoza

Kunukunuama

Group B

Tebujor

Benikrukru

Opuedebubor

Kurutie

Group C

Ogidigben

Ijaghala

Madangho

Ugbeogungun

Group D

Bateren

Agogboro

Ajudaibo

Ugborodo

However, in his speech, Chairman Local Organizing Committee, LOC, Hon. Ken Nwamocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Sports, noted that the tournament unlike the 2017 edition is hoping to correct some issues from the previous one.

He had particularly pleaded with the various team members and the coaches to understand the position taken by the LOC, noting that the technical team and the Local Organizing Committee will be free and fair to all parties.

“This competition is a very special one, we are going to correct what happened in 2017, we want the fixtures and pairing to be done in the open, who play who. We want all ethnic groups to play at the finals.

“Opening ceremony will be played at Ugborodo, there will be no point for the opening match, it’s going to be the defending champions and the host team, Ugborodo for ceremonial purpose” Hon. Nwamocha stated.

Meanwhile, explaining further, Chief sponsor of the tournament, Amb. Comr. Sheriff Mulade maintains that the tournament is hosted with a purpose of achieving peace and unity among the Ijaws and Itsekiris in Delta State.

He had particularly asserted that with the way the draws are fixed, it will be compulsory for Ijaw and Itsekiri to play in the semi finals and in the finals.

Mulade stated that the Itsekiris will play among themselves to produce the best team and their runner up, saying that same is applicable to the Ijaw teams.

According to him, when that is done, it will be compulsory for one Ijaw team to play at the semi finals and Itsekiris to play at the finals, this he said will be fair for the two ethnic groups in the tournament.

The fixtures include:

Group A

Kunukuma Vs Oporoza

Okerenkoko Vs Kokodiagbene

Group B

Tebujor Vs Opuedebubor

Kurutie Vs Benikrukru

Group C

Ogidigben Vs Ugbeogungun

Ijaghala Vs Mandangho

Group D

Agogboro Vs Ajudaibo

Bateren Vs Ugborodo

Meanwhile, Mulade noted that the opening ceremony will be played at the Ugborodo football pitch between defending champions of the Mulade Peace and Unity Cup, 2017 maiden edition Tebujor Fc Vs Ugborodo Fc in a ceremonial match for the opening ceremony.

According to Amb. Sheriff, no point will be awarded for the opening match, stressing that it is purely for entertainment purpose.

Chief Jeffrey Ojogun, Secretary LOC, Ijaw/ Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup 2019 in his vote of thanks appreciated all those that turned out for the draws and fixtures, noting that the committee is working hard that the purpose of the tournament is achieved.

In his words: “I want to say thank you to the Itsekiris and our people that made it here, without you this day and the draws cum fixtures wouldn’t have been possible, thanks for your conducts and cooperation so far.”

The Liberator Newspaper can report that the tournament will officially kick-start at Ugborodo on November 16th 2019 with a grand finale at Benikrukru on the 29th of November 2019.

It was learnt that two footballs were dished out to each of the 16 teams as a support from the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Cup LOC.

Meanwhile, there are indications that lots of dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion both at the opening ceremony and the grand finale.

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