Chinedum Elekwachi
The first ever Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, (ASMATA) women football competition has been flagged off in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.
The flag off which which was performed by ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna at Godwin Achebe Stadium, Fegge, Onitsha, attracted sportsmen and women, traders, stakeholders, among others.
Speaking at the event, Anuna said the competition was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision for healthy living through citizens’, especially women involvement in physical exercises performed by men to feel belonged and not isolated.
According to him, sponsor of the competition and Chief Executive Officer, Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd, Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi accepted to make the traders happy as a result of his love for sports and need for exercise.
He appreciated the Archbishop for his philanthropy, expressing joy that the cleric has changed several lives for the better.
“The poor have been made to be rich and tenants turned to landlords through his Pineleaf Estate business. From the football competition, talented women can be fished out to represent the state and Nigeria,” he added.
Continuity assured
Also speaking, Coordinator, ASMATA female football competition and Aguata zonal chairman, Chief Ezeigwe Christopher appreciated the PG for organizing the competition, assuring its continuity.
Ogbaru zonal chairman of ASMATA, Chief David Obidike also expressed optimism that the competition would raise talented females to be trained to represent the state.
Onitsha zonal chairman, Eric Uwaoma noted that the competition was the brain child of the Governor who vowed to involve women in all activities.
“We will still vote for Soludo in the coming governorship election because of his achievements in all spheres of the economy, including sports,” he vowed.
Earlier, ASMATA coaches’ coordinator for the female soccer competition, Chukwuma Fidelis said the traders were divided into seven zones.
He said each zone has A and B that are also subdivided and the winner of the trophy will smile home with #1million, runner up gets #500,000 while the third position gets #200,000 or #300,000.
“The essence of the competition is to fish out talents to represent the state in national competitions,” he said.
The kick off of the ball was performed by the ASMATA women leader, Mrs Grace Okonkwo which preceded the commencement of the competition between Aguata and Oyi zones.
