It was indeed fun filled atmosphere at the Sam Okwaraji Memorial Sports complex, Orlu during the final of the Hon Marcel Odunze Unity Football Competition for all the 13 INEC Wards in Orlu LGA as citizens of the area trooped out en mass to mark the closure of the tournament that kick started on December 28, 2016.
The annual championship designed by the lawmaker representing Orlu Constituency at the Imo House of Assembly, Hon Marcel Odunze to identify and expose football talents from the area was a history making event as the two teams in the final, Ohafor/Okporo/Umutanze Ward and Okwuabali Ward were competing in the final for the first time having edged out the defending champions and last season’s runner up, Eziachi/ Amaike Ward and Umuna Ward and Umuna Ward respectively in the semi finals via penalty shoot-outs.
The keenly contested final match later saw Ohafor/Okporo/Umutanze come from behind to restore parity 1-1 before winning the game in the gamble and lottery of penalty 5-4 to emerge champions.
Presenting the trophy, the donor, Hon Odune congratulated the winning team and the runner –up  for showing good spirit of sportsmanship noting that all the participating teams are winners as the purpose of the competition was to unite the constituents as well as to discover talents.
He expressed his satisfaction with the level of competition among the teams announcing that already two players from the tournament have been invited to Heartland FC.
The lawmaker while promising to make the next edition bigger and better admonished the players to always maintain high level of discipline which according to him remains the bedrock for success.
The champions were later presented a trophy and a mouth watering cash prize while the runner –up, Okwuabali Ward also got a cash award alongside Eziachi/Amaike Ward and Umuna Ward as consolation prizes.
The Top scorer, Chibuike Obinero from Eziachi, most Valuable player-Victor Chukwuma from Ohafor/Okporo/Umutanze and best goal keeper,Onuoha Chairman from Okwuabali all got cash prizes.
