By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a fun-filled and enthralling evening yesterday at the Anglican Church of Redemption, Awka (ACORA), Anambra State, as the 2023 edition of the ACORA Youths Sports and Cultural Festival kicked off in earnest.
Organized by the ACORA Youth Board, the event which is in its second edition kind, kicked off with a thrilling and captivating volleyball match between the Faith and Love families, and drew the participation of many dignitaries who came to witness the kick-off match and watch the vibrant ACORA youths display their amazing volleyball skills and dexterity.
Among some of the guests who graced the occasion was the Vicar, Anglican Church of Redemption Parish, Ven. Dr. Obiorah Alokwu; Rev. Clement Izuegbunam; the Director, ACORA Youths Board, Pharmacist Uzor Umeononihu; the Chairman of the Occasion and CEO of Reliable Group of Companies, Dr. Nzube Ekesiobi.
Also present was a team of assessors, comprising Lady Nkechi Orji, and Mrs. Uju Ezue; as well as well as wives of the clergy youths, women, children and other spectators who came from within the vicinity and beyond to feed their eyes.
The event started with family parade, during which members of Faith and Love families dance-marched round the field, with uncommon ecstacy, under the euphonious and mellifluous tune oozing out from the ACORA Brigade.
The volleyball match kicked off proper at about 4:20pm between the Faith (in blue) and Love (in yellow), with the Faith group being merciful enough to allow joy win the match, having won them countless times in the maiden edition of the Festival held last year.
Arbitrated by Mr. John Ifejika, the match eventually ended at about 5:10pm between the two teams and with uncommon smiles on the faces of everyone, especially the members of the Love Family, who rejoiced like never before, in celebration of their serendipitous victory.
The kick-off ceremony also saw another fortuitous win by Peace Family against the Joy Family who never showed up for the game, probably out of fear.
The celebration of Love Family’s serendipitous victory against Faith Family was, however, truncated, after the Peace Family squashed them in the table tennis match; while the Faith Family won by walkover against the Joy Family whose name (joy) was felt by everyone in at the venue, even in their absence.
Earlier peaking at the event, the Vicar, Ven. Alokwu, who registered his amazement over the participation and performance of the youths in the event, commended the organizers of the Festival, as well as the church members who trooped out en masse to witness the occasion; even as he reassured the ACORA Youth Board of the church’s continuous support and encouragements.
In a brief remark, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Ekesiobi highlighted the various ways the event and other such sporting activities can benefit the youths and impact positively in their lives and society at large.
He further called for sustenance of the initiative, while also advising the youths to see sports as a very profitable venture that cannot only keep one fit but also serve as a viable source of income and transform one’s life for good in all ramifications.
Speaking earlier, the Director, ACORA Youth Board, Pharmacist Umeononihu appreciated the various groups, the Vicar, the PCC and everyone who participated at or contributed in one way or the other to the success of the event, including Comrade Chigozie Ekwe, group leaders and others who played vital roles in the planning and organizing of the event.
While noting that new games, such as chess and scrabble have been introduced in this year’s edition of the event, she encouraged the various groups to step up their preparations, as the kick-off event was just a preamble into the full package the Festival has in stock for them.
The month-long 2023 ACORA Youths Sports and Cultural Festival is an initiative of the ACORA Youth Board, aimed at engaging and bringing out the best in the youths as well as create participatory roles for all members of the various youths’ families.
The next activity in the lineup of the event is a football match between the Love and Joy families, slated for 4.pm at Sansiro Field.
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