By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Chairman of Iron Dealers Union Atani Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mr Evaristus Ejezie in the mood of his victory at the just concluded soccer tournament organized for the 82 markets in Anambra State by the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, disclosed that their trophy is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
Recalled that Iron Dealers Atani was the champion of the Anambra State Traders Sports Competition 2023, Mr Ejezie, disclosed that his market will still defend the trophy come next round stating that his power for lifting the trophy lies in the Rosary.
“My market, Atani Road Iron Dealers Union, will still lift it as defending champion come the second round of the soccer tournament. My power lies in the Rosary, right from the first day we started playing to the last day, I was holding the Rosary, (chaplet), because I believe in God that with the Rosary we will lift the cup and it happened.
“I can’t do without the Rosary because there is power of God in it. In the second round billed for fourth quarter of the year, as defending champion my Rosary will be at work, we are not shaking,” he boasted.
Making the vow during the launch of the trophy at the market weekend, the chairman commended Governor Charles Soludo, for initiating such a soccer tournament for traders through the ASMATA President General, PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, and the Special Adviser to the governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Ubah, adding that it was the first time in the history of traders in the state to organize it.
“The Governor being a lover of sports and one who cares for his people, especially the youths, deemed it fit that the traders must exercise for healthy living.
“Governor Soludo is a professor, he knows what is good for the youths which made him to sponsor the competition, not only on football but also Ludo, draft, table tennis, Ncholokoto, among others and each one has its price for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.
“He has done tremendously in Ogbaru Local Government and the state in general, construction of roads, free child birth both, caesarean and health care generally, construction of healthcare, boreholes, turning okpoko to new haven, one youth two skills initiative, employment of teachers, doctors,nurses and other tremendous achievements.
“I call him my great master because he appointed me as one of those that would work with him when he emerged as the state governor, and we, market Ieaders do follow his footprints. I also cannot thank him enough for the solid ongoing road construction at my hometown, from Orie Uga-Obizi Uga.
” I commend also the Special Assistance(SPAD) to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Ubah for the ongoing peace talk he engaged our market in, and the ASMATA President General PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna for the peace and developments they have brought in the markets, and other outstanding performances for the welfare of the traders.
“I can testify to the goodness of God on our market, during the registration of the tournament, Iron dealers market was financially down, we couldn’t register until it dawned on us that it was a must for all the 82 markets to register. So we registered two days to the end of the registration, not knowing that God has planned our upliftment.
” When I realized that God’s hand is in what we were doing was when we got to the final under Ogbaru, the miraculous ways our team scored, then we moved up to the final.
“I thank God for everything and will never stop, I am always with my Rosary all through the match, I go with Rosary from day one till today, and I want to name our trophy “Angelic Football Club” of Iron Dealers Atani Road and we are looking forward to win this year’s tournament again.
Contributing, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Louis Nzekwe, stressed the need for the champions to maintain their lead adding that if they under rate those they won in the third first tournament, they would lose the cup as defending champion.
“You should start early to plan to be stronger than you were because in soccer things may change unexpectedly. Don’t under rate any team because you lifted the trophy. I am happy that you won and if you retain the cup I will remain happy.
Former Chairman of Iron Dealers Union Atani Road, Chief Nnaemeka Onwuzulike commended Mr Ejezie for the team’s effort to win the trophy, stating that “It is not easy, this is not only for Onitsha but the whole markets in the state, It is only those who play football that will understand the value of this trophy”.
Chief Ejike Ignatius, Chairman God’s Favour Building Material Market, Port Harcourt Road and Allied Building Material International Market Nteje, commended Atani Road Iron Dealers for the trophy but added however that it was by chance as they did not prepare well for the tournament.
“As you are going in for the second round as defending champion, do not be allowed to be sacked in the first leg, get prepared financially,” he advised.
Mr Sebastine Anija, the Coach, recalled that he earlier made a promise at Chuba Ikpeazu that they must go back to Atani Iron Dealers with the trophy.
“I am telling other markets to be prepared for this year’s cup that we are going back with the trophy again, as long as God is on our side, we hope in God that we will retain the trophy,” he vowed.
Pic shows the market chairman with his Rosary addressing the traders during the launch
