The “2022 Aguata Community Shield” is the second edition of the football tournament being played among the fourteen communities existing in Agauata Local Govenrment Area of Anambra state to decide who the winner.
It is a sport community oriented initiative being sponsored by the founder of Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development, Apostle Nnamdi Mbaigbo as part of its mission and vision to harness talents through sports development for self reliance and growth.
The tournament which attracted over twenty thousand spectators was held at the Amesi primary school field, last Saturday as well as meeting with the Local Organising Committee where briefings on successful hosting of the event.
Speaking during the press briefing to mark the grand finale, Apostle Nnamdi Mbaigbo explained that this year take home message is centred on Trust as a veritable tool for communities in Aguata to move forward.
The amount of trust you give to yourself determines the amount of trust you give to people. Therefore it is important that youths in Aguata to trust one another and grow in confidence becuase now by the grace of God we have been given the opportunity to lead the anambrairian and there is the youths in Aguata should understand that they should share trust and get trusted.
Explaining how people get trust, Apostle noted that trust must be practised and that is what Tropical Gate Foundation and Sustainable Development is doing, we are practicing trust. We are coming out from our comfort zone to put trust and so you as a youth in Aguata going forward from this tournament you should practice trust”.
He further observed that trust is not easy, it is tough. That you are hurt in the process of your trust does not mean you should stop trusting. When you stop trusting, you stop growing, he added.
Highlighting major principles of trust which he enumerated as: competency. He pleaded with the youths of Aguata to embrace soccer with competence which will bring about developing multiple skills as the only way for survival. While added that nobody wants to associate with incompetent persons.
According to Apostle, there is need for openness, trust is mutual becuase it is open when you blindfold trust, you have created a room for mistrust, and therefore for you to have a healthy relationship, it must be transparent. So I am calling on the youths and leadership in Aguata communities to improve in openness and transparency, that is the only way we can create trust, build trust and we can share trust.
“So my message to our leaders is that we must build trust, we must give trust, we must trust our leaders and our leaders must trust us. That is only way we can make headway in Aguata”.
Also speaking, Director of Operations and the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, reiterated that the committee have created room for scouting of young talented players.
He noted that there are already some professional are already onground to ensure these talents are carefully selected. While assuring that these young talents will in near future embark on travels to different african countries, with accommodation, feed taken care of by Tropical Gate Foundation and Sustainable Development.
President General, Amesi Improvement Union, Hon Leo Muorah, in his closing remark lauded the efforts of Apostle Nwaigbo and his philanthropic activities in Aguata. According to the PG, grassroot sports encourages social participation, harmony and unity among people.
However, in the third place match, which commenced shortly after the briefing, Oraeri Community defeated Akpo Community with 5 vs 4 goal win in a penalty shootouts to clinch the Bronze medal, third position.
In the final match, captured with more fascinating display of techniques, suspense, and intrigues. Achina became the brand new Champions of the 2022 Aguata Community Shield by defeating Ekwulobia community team 1 vs 0 win in a match watched by over 20,000 spectators.
Thus, Achina team were decorated with a gold medal and cash some of five hundred thousand naira only (500,000) while Ekwulobia team received Silver medals with a cash of three hundred thousand naira only (300,000) and Oraeri team going home with bronze medal with a cash of two hundred thousand naira (200,000) respectively.
However, there were Individual awards ranging from Highest Goal Scorer: Afam Ezekwenna from Ekwulobia who scored a total of seven (7) goals.
Best player: from Achina, Best Coach: Mr Ebuka Dimude from Achina, Best Keeper: Samuel Ncheke from Achina, Fair Play Team: Achina.
Special celebrated moment was the “Live Saver Award” to Mr Mr Bennett Ezeanokwasi. While speaking to News Echo in a seperate interview said he received the award because” I was able to safe a goal keeper’s life in one of the matches during the quarter finals.
Appreciating Chairman, Local Organizing Committee Dr, Whyte Nwankwo expressing happiness over successful sponsorship of the competition from Apostle Nnamdi Mbaigbo, said “This competition has been impactful on Aguata youths.
I also send my appreciation to the members of Board of Trustees of Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development.
“I also appreciate the 14 communities that participated and showed great commitments to the concerns of sustainable development in Aguata. The spectators have been so wonderful, including the Life Saver of the Year, Mr Bennett Ezeanokwasi”.
“I appreciate the security personnel for their diligence. The medical team and Aguata Red Cross Society are greatly appreciated.
The various media houses that covered the event, did great a job. I also appreciate various companies and individuals that supplied different logistics towards the success of the competition, including volunteers who were ever present to render veritable assistance.
I send my heartfelt gratitude to Aguata Referee Society for quality officiating all through the competition”.
“The members of the Local Organising Committee for their great commitments towards the success of this competition despite shortcoming. There is always room for improvement. We are making progress”.
The events were witnessed by football lovers, fans, prominent community leaders, media houses, buisness food vendors and Gresident Generals of some communities in Aguata Local Government of Anambra state.
It is in no doubt that much is expected in next years third edition of the tournament.
