4th Edition of Venerable David Udonsek Grassroot Football Tournament commences in ONNA
Venerable David Udonsek Grassroot Football Tournament (VENDUGT) has commenced the 4th Edition of the football fiesta with the theme: Tapping and Harnessing Grassroot Talents for Socio-economic Development, which was held at Akpabio Udo Ukpa Sports Stadium in ONNA local government area with Oniong East 2 defeating Nung Ndem 2 by 3 goals to nothing.
Venerable David Udonsek speaking at the opening ceremony of the football tournament
The kickoff exercise, which was performed by the host and sole sponsorship of the tournament, Venerable David Udonsek, was witnessed by dignitaries, football enthusiasts, and lovers of the round leather game across the state.
Venerable David Udonsek Grassroots Football Tournament (VENDUGT) is an annual grassroots football event initiated and solely sponsored by a Community Leader and Clergy, Venerable (Engr) David Udonsek, PhD in the 15 wards of ONNA local government area.
Venerable Udonsek performing the kickoff to the admiration of spectators
Speaking at the kickoff event, Venerable Udonsek, expressed appreciation to God Almighty for making the vision of hosting the football tournament a reality.
He commended the effort and commitment of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure the success of the tournament from inception till date, maintaining that the tournament has provided opportunity for people of like minds to share ideas and visions which God has perfected it to become a reality.
He noted that football globally is known as a unifying factor, bringing people from different background and race together, emphasizing that the 4th Edition of Venerable David Udonsek Grassroot Football Tournament goes beyond uniting people as it will provide opportunity for football agents to scout for local talents that will ply the trade at the state, national and international team.
“This year tournament will go beyond uniting people. Though all of us know that football is one of the unifying factors, but in this year in ONNA, I want to assure you that we will go beyond the ordinary unity.
“What we are looking at is that at the end of this tournament, some of the talents we have in ONNA will be seen in another part of the world playing this football and earn income that will bring food to their table.
Speaking further, Venerable Udonsek, said this year edition of the tournament is in line with the ARISE Agenda Policy of Governor Umo Eno led administration, urging players to take the exercise very serious for personal and career development.
“I want to encourage all the players to put in their best as we have made a lot of effort to reach out to advance teams who will be coming on daily basis to watch us and also pick some talents. And of course, by next year, we will have some of you playing in television and we will be sitting down here to watch you play. I pray that this dream will ever come true.
The ONNA born engineer, politician, philanthropist and community leader, also prayed for a hitch free exercise, declaring that there will be no casualty from the beginning of the tournament till the end.
“I pray that there will be no casualty from the beginning of the tournament till the end. We will not carry anybody to the hospital neither will we bury anybody because of this football. It will all end in praises as we begin in joy,” he disclosed.
In his remarks, former Council Secretary of ONNA local government area, ObongIwaad Usoro Paulinus, stressed that football globally is known as a unifying factor which has brought people from all races, ethnic and political background together, commending Venerable Udonsek for investing his resources in grassroot development.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Mr. Nsikan Udonsek, disclosed that 16 team across the 15 wards in ONNA with Coastal All Stars FC ONNA as guest team will participate in the tournament with 24 matches to be played and each team playing at least three matches.
While promising of a fair play in line with global football tournament, he warned that any team that abandon any match without reasonable excuse will not be allow to participate in the next edition, urging all teams to imbibe by the rule of the game.
Meanwhile, the 4th Edition of Venerable David Udonsek Grassroot Football Tournament (VENDUGT) continues on Day 2, Monday December 2, 2024, as Oniong West 1 will play against Awa Ward 6 while Awa Ward 2 will trade tackle with Oniong East 3 in the morning. Also, Awa Ward 4 will play against Oniong East 1 while Awa Ward 3 will play against Oniong West 4.
The LOC has therefore called on football lovers especially fans from different teams to visit the Akpabio Udo Ukpa Sports Stadium in ONNA to cheer their team to victory.