The King of the Igbo community in Ghana, Eze Dr Chukwudi Ihenetu, has launched a series of friendly football matches among Igbo communities across the country as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Igbo throne in Ghana.
The opening ceremony was held at the Ajiriganor Astro Turf in Accra, where the traditional ruler officially kicked off the tournament in the presence of Igbo chiefs, elders, community members and invited guests.
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Dressed in sportswear and football boots, Eze Dr Ihenetu ceremonially kicked the ball to signal the start of the competition, drawing applause from spectators.
Addressing participants, the King described the tournament as a platform to strengthen unity and brotherhood among Igbos living in Ghana.
“To Almighty God be the glory, these games have come to stay,” he said. “May these games continue to eternity with the foundation that we have laid today.”
The tournament features teams drawn from eight recognised Igbo communities in Ghana, with four matches scheduled to be played during the competition.
Eze Dr Ihenetu reminded players that the matches were intended to promote friendship and solidarity rather than rivalry.
“Be mindful of your brother’s legs,” he urged the players, stressing that the games were “brotherly, in-house” competitions designed to foster unity.
“Let’s protect one another; we’re all brothers,” he added.
The King also announced that prizes would be presented to the winning teams and expressed the hope that the competition would continue to grow as an annual national event.
He noted that the football tournament forms part of a broader programme of activities leading to the celebration of the Ghana Igbo Yam Festival, scheduled for September 18, 2022.
According to him, a health walk had already been organised as part of the anniversary celebrations, with additional community engagement activities planned in the lead-up to the festival.
Former Ghana international footballers Prince Tagoe, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Charles Taylor and Fatawu Dauda were among the personalities who attended the opening match.
In the first game of the tournament, Team Obi Amarachukwu defeated Team Obi Nhunaya 2-1 to record the opening victory of the competition.
