- Final now 18th November 2016 at Burutu between Oborotu FC and the Egodor FC
- Scouts to scout players during final at Burutu
- Football analysts divided over who wins the first prize
- As Barrister Smooth promises Ν50,000 for the winner
- Political leaders commends Pondi for sport initiative
WARRI -As the football tournament hosted by Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi tilt towards its final, it has been alleged that the Delta State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro; Amaju Pinick, President Nigerian Football Federation; Chief Ebikeme Clark , Chairman Burutu Local Government Council; veteran coach Samson Siasia; Taribo West and others will be storming Burutu for the final at the NPA football pitch.
Confirming the shift of date, the local organizing committee chairman, Comr. Emmanuel Akpule who spoke to Gbaramatu Voice correspondent stated that the final is now to be played on the 18th of November 2016 at the NPA football pitch, Burutu, stressing that the adjustment of date was to enable dignitaries grace the epoch making event.
Speaking further, while giving a breakdown of the tournament so far, Akpule maintains that 16 teams was enlisted for the tournament that begins with a knockout at Kiagbodo on the 22nd of October 2016 with Oborotu FC and Ojobo FC playing the opening match that ended 4-1 in favour of the Oborotu FC.
The LOC Chairman reveals that the final is to be played between Oborotu FC haven’t crushed Ogulagha Kingdom FC in the seminal to qualify for the final as they will be up against the Egodor FC that annihilate the Obetebe Kingdom FC to make their way into the final.
However, football pundits across Burutu Local Government Council are divided over the two teams they described both as capable of clinching the trophy.
“It will be a tight and tough match between both clubs, they are all good, anything can happen, we cannot write Oborotu FC off as same goes to the Egodor FC, the most interesting thing is that both teams have been playing together hence they really know themselves, it will not be an easy match for any team to just win” Capt. Macbeth stated.
In a related development, Chief Barrister Smooth, a popular Ijaw musical icon have also pledged 50,000 to any team that win’s the final match between Oborotu FC and Egodor FC at the NPA football pitch,Burutu .
Meanwhile political giants across Delta State have heavily commended Hon. Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal constituency in the Federal House of representative, Abuja for initiating such sport activity despite the hard biting recession, describing him as a rare political specie in contemporary politics.
Chief Favour Izuokumor, Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC in an interview with Gbaramatu voice during the opening match at Kiagbodo on the 22nd of October 2016 stated
“I think what I have seen today, is beyond my imagination. I wonder how I could be able to express the joy inside me and the people that have gathered for the event.” Izuokumor stated.
This is wonderfiul – Hon. Funkeme
Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, former deputy speaker Delta State House of Assembly, PDP chieftain in Delta and now Chairman governing board Ozoro polytechnic, Delta State on his part have described Hon. Julius as a wonderful man.
The leader made the remark at Kiagbodo during an interview session with newsmen at the opening ceremony of the peace Cup.
“This is wonderful. When I was in House of Assembly I did this type of thing and its because we need to come together as a people and we need to create an atmosphere of peace and unity. As a leader representing us in the House of Representatives, it fitting that he organizes this to draw attention to the need to unify that in unity, we will stand, we will succeed. There is no need for divisions, there is no need for hostility towards one another. Let’s unite, Burutu is one and sport is one of the things in the world that bring people together and so it is well organized, well thought out and I commend him for this effort.” Funkeme stated.
This is commendable -Clark
The Executive Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief (Hon) Ebikeme Clark have also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Pondi for alleging bringing the youths together through football.
“It is something that is very commendable. We thank Hon.Julius pondi for having this vision to organize this kind of tournament. It is to unite the youths of Burutu Local Government. Something that the people of Burutu Local Government are happy to be part of, something that they want to make a yearly affair; You can see, it is not only about war or fight, sport unifies everybody. You can see the youths are all happy, coming to play football and watch the match.” The Council boss stated.
It was however, learnt that the Burutu Local Government Chairman, Chief Ebikeme Clark is reported to be the Chairman of the occasion during the grand finale of the almost a month football tournament across the Local Government Council.
This shows that we are together – Yingi
The law maker representing Burutu North in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel O. Yingi have also alleged that with the mammoth gathering of political leaders at Kiagbodo to kick-start the peace Cup shows that the people of Burutu are always together whole describing Pondi as man of the people
“This shows that we are together, the man Hon. Julius is truly a man of the people, he is my senior legislator, and this reveals that he is a young man who plays with his own peer group and this is a sign that there is unity in Burutu Local Government.” Yingi pledges.
This is a sign of positive representation-PDP chairman
On his part, the state vice chairman and Delta South senatorial district Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Prince Emmanuel Amgbadu, have also described the peace cup as a sign of positive representation.
“What is happening here is a very good thing. it shows positive representation, it shows a proactive representation, it shows a representation that has the people of Burutu,especially the youths at heart. An idle mind is the devils workshop, so when you have somebody who puts the youths in such an event, keep them active, an active mind excels. So, it is wonderful and very welcomed.” The PDP leader said.
Pondi, an exceptional leader-Adokeme
The leader of Burutu legislative House, Mr. Frank Adokeme have maintained that Hon. Julius is an exceptional leader in Burutu Local Government Council that is allegedly making legislative debuts in the national Assembly.
Hon. Frank made the call during an interview session with newsmen at Kiagbodo in the opening ceremony of the peace Cup.
“In terms of politics, Julius Pondi is a very young politician but he is very very exceptional for the period he has been in the National House of Assembly, what he has done in the federal constituency in terms of empowerment and every other thing, he is exceptional.” Mr. Adokeme stated.
According to him while commending the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ebikeme Clark, he said the Council boss is doing good job in transforming the entire Local Government particularly the symbiotic relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of the council.
In a similar manner, the leader of Warri South West Local Government legislative house, Hon. Dennis Alarirerebo, commended Hon. Julius for making his constituents feeling the impact of democracy.
“I felt very very happy. I mean, what our own Hon. Julius Pondi is trying to put in place is at least making the people of his constituency to feel the impact of democracy, I am very very happy with this.” Hon. Dennis stated.
Other dignitaries expected to grace the grand finale of the Hon. Julius Pondi Peace Cup at the NPA football pitch in Burutu on 18th October 2016 includes; Barr. George Alabh Turnah (MON), Coach Samson Siasia, Edema Fuludu, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba, Timi Ebikagboro, Neville Ambakederemo, political leaders of Burutu Local Government Council, local and international football scouts among others.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.