Emmanuel Uchenna Eze and Charles Edicha IdokoThe University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Monday February 7, 2022 began the 2021/22 edition of its Freshers’ Unity Cup amid fanfare.
The Freshers’ Unity Cup is an initiative of the Student Union Government (S.U.G) Directorate of Games meant to foster unity and healthy competition among 100 level students of the university, while giving them a platform to represent their departments.
The 40-team tournament estimated to run for two weeks was officially kicked off at the Akanu Ibiam Stadium, by the Dean of students Affairs, Dr Edwin Omeje and S.U.G principal officers led by the President, Abuchi Michael.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe football tournament opened at 3pm with a match between the Department of Electronic Engineering and their counterparts in Microbiology. Some other games were scheduled to take place later in the day.
Speaking to reporters before the opening game, the organizers expressed confidence that the tournament would be one of the best ever hosted in the university. “We hosted the Freshers’ Unity Cup last year as a test-run and we have decided to make it bigger and better this year as you can see already,” S.U.G Director of Games, Offor Chibuike, said.
SUG president, Michael, stated that the tournament was, in part, a fulfilment of his administration’s campaign promises. “I’d start by appreciating the director of games and the entire students; this is a fulfilment of our campaign promises,’’ he said. According to him, ‘’this tournament would serve as a platform for getting deserving players into the University of Nigeria central football team.
Match official, Mr. Charles Njoku, said despite the fact that it wasn’t the first time the Freshers’ Cup would be holding, he felt proud to be one of the officials for the tournament, which according to him was better organized than the previous edition. Njoku restated commitment to officiating the games with utmost professionalism.
One of the organisers of the tournament, Mr. Ebuka, a 300 level student of the department of Soil Science described the tournament as ‘top-notch,’ saying “we really prepared well for this tournament that will definitely go the way global tournaments are played. The 40 teams will have fair chances to go for glory.’’
The opening match was decided in favour of the Department of Microbiology through a lone goal scored in the second half of the difficult game.
Emmanuel Uchenna Eze
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