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The stage is set for the biggest grassroots football spectacle in Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA) as the Abig Nwankwo Foundation Okija Annual Unity Football Tournament returns for its highly anticipated 4th edition.
The tournament is the brainchild of a worthy son of Okija, Chief Chimezie Ken Nwankwo (Owelle N’Okija, Ichie Ozoabatauno Adimma), Chairman of Bigly Group and Founder of the Abig Nwankwo Foundation.
The competition is designed to foster unity, peace and youth development in Okija and Anambra State at large.
This year’s edition will feature all nine villages of Okija in what promises to be a keenly contested battle for supremacy and bragging rights.
According to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the tournament will kick off in the first week of December 2026, with matches running through the yuletide season.
The grand finale is slated for Wednesday, January 7, 2027.
All matches will be played at the historic Okija Central School Pitch (St. Mary’s Pitch, Umuofo Okija).
In a major boost for grassroots football in Anambra state, the Foundation has announced a mouth-watering improved prize package for this edition with the winner getting, N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) + Gold Medals, Runners-up N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) + Silver Medals and the Third Place team to go home with N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) + Bronze Medals.
No team will go home empty-handed, as the six other participating villages will each receive a consolation prize of N200,000.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the sponsor, Chief Chimezie Ken Nwankwo, said his passion goes beyond the game.
“This tournament is not just about football; it is about unity, it is about giving our young people a sense of belonging. We are doing this to give opportunities to budding football talents in Okija to express themselves, to be discovered, and to stay away from social vices. Okija is one big family, and football remains a powerful tool to bind us together,” the Owelle N’Okija stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Uwaoma Odili Iheabunike (Ijele-Igbo N’Okija), assured of the committee’s readiness to deliver a world-class tournament.
“We are fully ready. I want to thank Owelle N’Okija, Chief Chimezie Ken Nwankwo, for his uncommon love for Okija. This 4th edition will be exclusive, bigger, more entertaining, and more uniting. We promise a fair, transparent, and memorable tournament for all the participating nine villages. Okija is one family. Football is our bond.”
The LOC further disclosed that both the opening ceremony and the grand finale will be a carnival of sorts, attracting dignitaries from across Anambra State and beyond, including traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry and football stakeholders. The events will be spiced with top musical performances and rich cultural displays.
In the last three editions, the Abig Nwankwo Foundation has established itself as a beacon of hope, empowering widows, youths and students in Okija and beyond. The 4th edition is expected to raise the bar even higher.
Ubahu village won the 2025 edition after defeating Ubahumonum with a dramatic extra-time goal in the final. Umuhu Village finished third.
That edition had a prize money of N3 million for the champions.
This year, the stakes are higher, the prize is bigger, and the unity is stronger.
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