This evening, in a colorful celebration of grassroots sportsmanship and youth empowerment, the maiden edition of the Peter Mbah–Udenu League 2025 came to a dramatic and glorious conclusion, at the Udenu Township Stadium, Obollo Afor. The final match, fittingly held on Nigeria’s National Children’s Day, saw Obollo Eke Ward edge out Ezimo Ward with a nail-biting 2–1 victory after extra time, earning them the coveted championship title.
The final showdown, which kicked off at exactly 3:00 PM local time, drew an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, community leaders, and football lovers from across Udenu Local Government Area. Earlier in the day, the third-place decider between Orba Ward 1 and Orba Ward 2 ended in a high-scoring thriller, with Ward 1 emerging victorious with a 5–2 win.
Runners up, Ezimo Team receiving their prize
The closing ceremony was graced by prominent dignitaries led by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyds Ekweremadu Jnr, who chaired the occasion. He was joined by Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Ajogwu; Honourable Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Employment, Pharm. Chika Ugwuoke; and the host, the Executive Chairman of Udenu LGA, Aka Eze Aka, under whose visionary leadership the tournament was conceptualized and executed.
Third-placed, Orba Ward 1 Team receiving their prize
In his remarks, Hon. Aka expressed pride in the success of the tournament, describing it as “a grassroots revolution in sports, inspired by His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah’s youth-driven agenda.” He noted that the League was designed not only as a recreational platform but also as a talent discovery initiative, aimed at identifying and nurturing raw football talent within the ten political wards of the Local Government.
The tournament, which kicked off on March 14, 2025, featured ten wards divided into three groups for the preliminary stages. Over the course of two months, the League delivered thrilling fixtures, tactical displays, and emerging stars who captured the imagination of fans and scouts alike.
Speaking on behalf of the Enugu State Government, Barr. Lloyds Ekweremadu commended Udenu LGA for its commitment to youth development, noting that “sports remain a powerful tool for social engagement, community building, and economic opportunity.”
Group photograph by the dignitaries at the end of the event.
In a gesture that reaffirmed the tournament’s purpose, the winners and other standout performers are to be presented for trial with Rangers International Football Club of Enugu. The Club’s General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, had earlier sent his goodwill message at the commencement of the league, signaling the State’s readiness to absorb discovered talents into more competitive football ecosystems.
Prizes and Recognition:
1st Place (Obollo Eke Ward): ₦1,000,000 and gold medals
2nd Place (Ezimo Ward): ₦750,000 and silver medals
3rd Place (Orba Ward 1): ₦500,000 and bronze medals
Medals and cash prizes were formally presented to the top three teams by the dignitaries during the closing formalities.
In a statement to the press, Aka reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to sustain the championship as an annual event, promising even bigger packages and more strategic partnerships in subsequent editions.
With the roaring success of its debut, the League is already being hailed as a model for grassroots sports development in Nigeria, echoing the bold leadership ideals of Governor Peter Mbah and the local government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of its youthful population.
©AkaEzeAka Media Team
