CSS, Abueke Emerges State Shell Cup Champions
…As Imo is set to Host Rhythm & Play South-East Launching
Community Secondary School, Abueke in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area has emerged the 2014 Imo State champions of the NNPC/Shell all Secondary School Football Competition after beating Boys Secondary School New-Owerri by a lone goal.
With this development, CSS Abueke will represent Imo State at the zonal play-off which is billed for Enugu from March 11 to 15 against teams from Anambra, Cross-Rivers and Benue State.
Imo State won the 2010 and 2011 edition of the championship that have over the years produced notable players that have gone to represent Nigeria at the U-17, 20 and the senior national teams.
It could be recalled that Chidiebere Nwakali and Kelechi Iheanacho both played in the 2011 edition for Imo state and have since gone to represent Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Dubai where they won the world trophy.
Meanwhile, in a related developmenta South-East sports Ambassador; Eng Emeka Ike has paid a courtesy call on the State Commissioner for Education Dr Mrs Uche Ejiogu who was represented by her Permanent Secretary, Dr CC Iwuagwu over the introduction and launching of Rhythm and Play.
In his Address Eng Ike noted that the Rhythm and play program which was initiated by His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan will be launched in Imo State for the South-East on March 22 at the City School along Wetheral road, Owerri adding that sports equipment’s will be distributed to selected schools to enable them improve on their sporting activities.
Reacting on behalf of the Commissioner, Dr Iwuagwu assured the sports south-east ambassador that his ministry is ready to host the south-east come March, as well as to provide the needed support for the program.
Accompanying Eng Ike was Chief Lemechi Chimezie and Mr Okoro while the Director School sports , Mr MTO Obi and School Sports Coach, Onyekwere Abara were also present during the event.

Dame Emily-Obiyo Memorial
Football Competition Draws Holds Feb 28
Draws for the maiden edition of the Dame Emily-Obiyo Memorial Football Competition for the nine Local Government Councils in Owerri Sporting zone will take place on Friday February 28 at the Football Association (FA) house, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
According to a release from the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Ndubuisi Opara and made available to Trumpeta Sports desk, the competition which is powered by Samuel-Mary/Emily Obiyo Foundation under the chairmanship of Chief Dr Uzoma Obiyo will involve teams from Owerri-Municipal, Owerri-West, Owerri-North, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Ngorokpalla, Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA’s.
The Championship which organized by Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), will be played in three centers namely, Old Stadium, Owerri, Iho Stadium, Ikeduru and Chioma Ajunwa Stadium Ahiazu-Mbaise to further immortalize the life and times of Late Dame Emily-Obiyo the mother of Chief Obiyo whose memorial service will take place during the Easter period.
In a related development, the executive assistant to Chief Obiyo, Mr Daniel Chikere further revealed that the foundation has many other programs and events lined up to also celebrate a woman whose love for humanity cannot be over emphasized.
The programs according to Chikere includes Tennis competitions for individuals from the nine LGA’s, Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in the nine LGA’s as well as a health care workshop and eye clinic at designated churches in the nine LGA’s of Owerri zone.
The competition is expected to run from March 15 till Easter period when the final will ceremony will be used to officially mark the remembrance of Dame Emily-Obiyo for a good life well spent as all participating teams shall earn N50,000 consolation prizes aside from the first, second abd third prizes with many other individual prizes.

Geoffrey Nwosu Bags SWAN Merit Award
The Imo State Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Chief Geoffrey Nwosu was on Friday February 21, presented with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo Chapter’s Merit award.
Chief Nwosu is one of the many recipients of these award that was organized and presented by SWAN at the Grasshoppers International Stadium in December to celebrate and encourage most Imolites who have contributed to the growth and development of Sports in Imo especially at the grass-root level.
Presenting the award, Mr John Nwogu, the State SWAN Chairman described Chief Nwosu as a very dedicated and hard working Civil Servant who has helped immensely to the tremendous improvements recorded in the ministry and sports generally adding that the cordial relationship existing between him and his Commissioner Com Kenneth Emelu goes further to illustrate that the Onuimo born accountancy trained guru is a good team player.
He further stated that SWAN having observed the sterling achievements and leadership qualities of the Eng Nwosu before and after the re-appointment of Comm Emelu as the commissioner, decided to honour him with the Sports Merit Award.
Reacting to the award, Chief Nwosu thanked God almighty for preserving his life, after the near fatal motor accident he had shortly after his appointment that left him injured on the leg stating that SWAN remains the image maker and promoter of all sports achievements by the state and it’s individuals.
He however thanked His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha for the numerous achievements he has recorded within a short space of time including the laurels Heartland Fc and other Sports teams and individuals have won maintaining that his ministry is well positioned to continue creating enabling environment that will help produce more of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.
In a related development, Nwosu commended the efforts of the glorious Grasshopper’s female handball team, who recently did Imo proud by wining the trophy in the just concluded female handball tournament in Abuja after beating the host (ABUJA) in the final.

NFF Confirms Amuneke as Eaglet Coach
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of Emmanuel Amunike as the new head coach of the Nigerian male Under-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets.
This disclosure was made by the head of the NFF’s technical committee, Emmanuel Ikpeme who stated that that Amunike’s appointment was borne out of the need for continuity, since Amunike was an assistant to Manu Garba who led the Golden Eaglets to win the World championship last year.
“We have opted for continuity because these coaches are highly experienced and qualified to continue with the progress we are making,” Emmanuel Ikpeme told reporters
“We’ve had a couple of disappointing experiences in the past and it was felt that we couldn’t take the same route again.
“Amuneke has transformed from a great player to one of the finest youth coaches in Africa and we believe he deserves the under 17 role” Ikpeme added.
The Eziobodo (Imo State) born ex-international will have to assemble the next generation of cadet players to defend the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy Nigeria won in Dubai, UAE last year.