The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has recently awarded cash prizes amounting to N4 million to the winners of the 2022 edition of the Academicals Football Cup for primary and secondary schools in the state.
The prize-giving ceremony was held at the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, where the schools and students who performed exceptionally well were applauded and rewarded for their hard work and dedication.
The male and female U17 categories received cash prizes of N1 million and N500,000 respectively for first and second place winners, while the U13 or primary schools category had the first and second place winners receiving N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.
The winners were congratulated by Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of the Commission, who represented Governor Soludo and encouraged the students to continue excelling in both sports and academics.
Chairman Onyedum reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youths to explore their talents and achieve excellence.
He pointed out that sports was a critical component of the youth empowerment thrust of the current administration, and that the Anambra State Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI) was aimed at discovering national and Olympic champions from the earliest age.
He also announced that the Anambra School Sports Festival would be a yearly event, and he charged schools and students to ensure they took part in the 2024 edition.
The prize money was given to schools such as Ukpor High School in Nnewi South Local Government Area (LGA) and Washington Memorial Grammar, which received N1 million and N500,000 in the male U17 category respectively.
In the female U17, Christ The Redeemer College, Amaesi, Aguata, and Stella Maris College, Umueri, received N1 million and N500,000 respectively for their first and second-place finishes.
Furthermore, Umuaraba Primary School, Ukpor, received N500,000, while Anyaegbunam Primary School, Onitsha, received N250,000 in the U13 category for primary schools, for placing first and second respectively.
Six students were also given prize money of N25,000 each for emerging as best goalkeepers, highest goal scorers, and most valuable players.
In response, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Onuorah, Principal of Stella Maris College, Umueri, thanked Governor Soludo for the kind gesture and praised the Anambra government for revolutionizing sports by giving uncommon attention to the grassroots.
He promised that the school system would help achieve the desired objectives in sports.
