The saying “Ngwa bu otu” came to bear in sports just recently, as the Victor Chinedu Egbulefu Foundation(VCEF), kick started the first ever Ngwa Unity Cup Competition.
The competition which will be an annual event is part of the critical thrust of the Victor Chinedu Egbulefu Foundation,which is geared towards the unity of Ngwa land,as well as youth development and social investment.
The flagging off ceremony which took place at the Boys Technical College (BTC), Osusu in Aba North Local Government Area, commenced with a road show and various displays, alerting residents of the good that has come to Ngwa Land.
Youths from the various Local Government Areas that made up Ngwa land, were seen jubilating over the unifying football tournament, sponsored by their own,Dr Victor Chinedu Egbulefu.
Football lovers, Coaches, Men and women of Goodwill, were all in attendance to witness the maiden edition of the Ngwa Unity Cup,with the opening match between Osusu and Eziama.
No doubt this thrust among other things would help breed more talents in the sports industry, as well as afford the youths the opportunity to showcase their football talents and also be discovered.
Interacting with Journalists, the founder of the VCE Foundation and Sponsor of the Football Competition, Dr Victor Chinedu Egbulefu, who is also a U.S based Pharmacist and Philanthropist, said he decided to dive into Sports because that is the only game that brings people together.
According to him, Sports is simple and fun and has the ability to unite different tribes and races together.
“Looking at what people have been through these past few years,i decided to come up with this competition to help unite our people and also help them to forget their worries.
“As you can see, there are lots of excitement everywhere, the 112 Autonomous communities in Ngwa land will be participating in this tournament that will run through December. Of course there will be a prize at the end of the tournament.
“It is a time for our youths to showcase their talents.This competition can also be a scouting ground.You never can tell what will happen after this competition.People are watching.Talents can be discovered here.I urge the players to seize this opportunity to showcase every skill they have because this is a big tournament”, he said.
The competition which will run through each of seven Local Government Areas that made up Ngwa land, will have all the champions from the various LGAs play and compete for the overall champion.
Revealing whether he is into partnership with anyone for the running of the football competition, Dr Egbulefu stated that he is the sole financier of the competition, pointing that he would not withhold anything good from his people.
“Instead of building houses,i prefer to give back to my community.
“Ala Ngwa (Ngwa Land) made me what i am today”, he added.
However, Dr Egbulefu, revealed that his foundation has the Medical, Education and Sports Trust, through which he has contributed and given back to the society.
Recall that the the US-based pharmacist, Dr. Victor Chinedu Egbulefu, through his NGO, Victor Chinedu Egbulefu Foundation (VCEF) had flagged off a Community Health Fair in his Osusu Aba ancestral home, where free medical care was given to hypertensive, diabetic and ulcer patients.
The free Health Fair was launched by His Imperial Majesty, EZE Isaac Ikonne, Enyi 1 of Aba on April 16, 2021
Mr. Egbulefu followed sooth with the second phase of the Free Health Fair at his maternal home of Ihie in Isiala Ngwa North LGA and this was flagged off by the traditional ruler of the area, His Royal Highness (Engr) John Rogers Ogbuanu. This was a homecoming for the US-based medical practitioner, who spent part of his early childhood at Ihie.
Like the events at the launch at Osusu Aba, the second phase was also dedicated to offering free medical treatment to patients with various categories of terminal ill-health.
As part of the package for the second phase, the Foundation worked in conjunction with the ophthalmologist at the Embassy Hospital Aba, Dr. Micheal Okpe, to offer succour to ten patients with different eye problems such as cataract, glucoma etc.
The foundation has also made a foray into educational development by offering scholarship awards to four students from indigent background. Two of the beneficiaries are Eberechi Esther Chinonyerem who was offered scholarship to study Medicine & Surgery at the University of Benin and Blessing Chinelo Ayeje who was to study pharmacy at the University of Nigeria (UNN).
Matches are currently ongoing, as some communities in Osisioma Ngwa and Obingwa have kick-started their internal matches.
