From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
The Anambra State Traders sports competition kicks off across the seven market zones in the state.
In a release jointly signed by the Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Patrick-Estate Onyedum and President General, Amalgamated Market Traders Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, the competition which would feature football, tennis, table tennis, draft and ncho was said to be a great improvement over previous editions which used to be only football.
The release said the traders’ sports competition would give traders in Anambra markets the opportunity to showcase their sports skills on the field of play as well as improve their physical, and psychological well-being.
“More interestingly, the traders will be playing to win a whopping N10,000,000:00 with a lot of other attractive prizes which are up for grabs.
“At last count, about 85 markets have indicated interest to take part in the competition and the draws for fixtures have been done.
“Winners of the football event will go home with N3,000,000:00; N2,000,000) and N1,000,000:00 as first, second and third prizes.
“Winners in table tennis, tennis, draft and ncho events will get a reward of N500,000:00; N300,000:00 and N200,000:00, respectively.
“Our brothers and sisters in the market will not be playing for leisure this time, they have the opportunity to play to entertain themselves and also smile home with good prize money.
“We are going to have football champions and high kings of draught, “the release disclosed.
It also announced that there would be raffle draws where traders, lovers of sports and the entire ndi Anambra would win different prizes including plasma televisions, fridges, generators, washing machines, bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles shuttles buses.
The tickets would be on sale, according to the release, in the various markets and public places during the competition.
“Ndi Anambra are encouraged to come out at the venues which include Awka township stadium, Awka, Chuba Ikpeazu stadium, Onitsha, Godwin Achebe stadium, Fegge, Rojenny stadium, Oba, Ekwulobia township stadium, Ekwulobia, Otuocha stadium, Aguleri to celebrate the rich talents of our market people.
“The competition will start with zonal eliminations on Wednesday, October 18 where the various market zones will determine their respective champions who will in turn represent them at the state finals.
“The state finalists will thereafter compete for places in the semi-finals where the gold, silver and bronze winners will emerge.
“The competition is expected to end on Sunday, Nov 26, with final draws for the raffle tickets in an elaborate closing Ceremony.
“The sports and traders loving Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is expected to lead the draws and perform the symbolic handover of prizes to winners at the event as the chief Guest of Honour.
“Ndi Anambra, let us once again demonstrate our love for sports and our heritage which is business by supporting this initiative,” it concluded.