By Our Reporter
The second edition of the Obubra Unity Tournament has come and gone, but the memories will linger in the minds of the people both far and wide.
The event which ran from the 21st to the 24th of December 2022 featured teams across the Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State with each tribe represented.
The high point of the event was an Exhibition match involving “Inyima Rising Stars” from neighboring Yakurr lurking horns against an “Obubra Select” in a novelty match regarded as a “Symbols of Peace and Togetherness” amongst the Obubra people and beyond.
The event which is targeted at promoting peaceful co-existence among the people of Obubra and beyond had in attendance great sons and daughters of the land, representatives of the Cross River State Football Association, sports administrators, top sports broadcast journalist Rex Patrick, as well as ex Nigeria international Oluwafemi Ajilore – a Silver Medallist with Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympics who also played his trade in Europe with Midtyjilland in Denmark and Groningen in the Netherlands.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Organising Committee, Caesar Benson Abam who also doubles as the initiator of the project and MD of Premium Sports Entertainment Limited revealed that beyond the sporting benefit which is discovering talents, the conflict resolution objective is very important.
Adding that the event was also a medium for people to connect with those who have been far apart.
His words, “The big picture is beyond the sporting benefit which is to discover talents. However, the conflict resolution strategy is very important.
“We also want to showcase talents who have not had the opportunity to be scouted despite their talents. The Sadio Manes and the Femi Ajilores are all guys who made it from the grassroots. That’s why we also brought people who normally do not see each other face to face.
“We want to use football as a medium to unite everyone beyond their differences, so they can set aside their biases.”
Ababene FC vs Apiapum FC played finals and Ababene FC won, taking home N300,000 while Apiapum FC got N100,000.
The event which held at the NYSC orientation camp was endorsed by the Cross River State Football Association was put together by Premium Sports Entertainment Limited.
See pictures from the second edition of the Obubra Unity Tournament:
