The Obibi- Uratta Ancient Kingdom in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State is current engrossed with festive Mood as the Four Towns of the area engaged themselves in a football Competition for the prestigious Eze Uwaleke Unity football Competition.
The Tournament which is powered by one of the illustrious Son’s of Obibi ancient Kingdom, Mr Bethel Amuzie (South Africa) is designed to help fish out some talented players in the area who will later be sponsored to South Africa and other parts of Europe to further their playing careers.
In chart with His Royal Majesty Eze Prof Amaobi Uwaleke, Eze Udo IV of Obiliubi -Uratta, Sports Ambassador gathered that the edition is the first after 13 years of no football activity in the area.
HRH Eze Uwaleke informed that the competition apart from the fun it brings acts as a Catalyst for peace and Unity among his people stating that the games was also initiated to help curb the social vices the Youths of the area may indulge in especially before, during and after yuletide period.
He further stated that as part of his efforts to maintain law and other in his Kingdom he and his cabinate Chiefs issued a law against Cultism, Smooking /Selling of Indian Hemp and other hard weeds in the area adding that those caught in the act will be handed over to the law enforcement agents.
While explaining the peace that now exists in the Kingdom, Eze Uwaleke pointed out that Obibi-Uratta apart from being the Mother of all Owere activities has been an autonomous entity long before the creation of autonomous Community law by General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1977.
The four Towns, Umuahim (most Senior), Umuori, Umuoba and Okwu are all from same Mother and Father.
Umuori is the ancient root of Owere-nshi-ise and that’s why they come here to take “Opete” meaning freedom for the celebration of their new yam festival every year, Eze Uwaleke said.
The Competition which is slated to end on January 3, 2017 will see the wining team take home the sum of #200,000 just as the runners up gets #100,000 and the 3rd and 4th placed team earns #50,000 each as Consolation prizes.
