By Wakawaka Sports
FORMER President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and pioneer Director-General of the Imo State Sports Commission, Sir F.A.N. Ndubuoke, yesterday performed the ceremonial kick-off of the 2026 Iri Ji Mbaise Nation Football Competition at Oke Ovoro Secondary School, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
The opening ceremony attracted sports enthusiasts, traditional leaders and community stakeholders, with Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie, Aboh Mbaise Football Administrator Cmrd. Kennedy Onwunali, Special Assistant to the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Chairman on Sports Hon. Clinton Odu, and other dignitaries joining Ndubuoke to officially declare the competition open.
Speaking at the event, the former General Manager of Heartland FC commended the organisers for incorporating football into the annual Iri Ji Mbaise cultural celebration, describing the initiative as a major step towards promoting grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
Ndubuoke noted that football remains one of the most effective tools for fostering unity, peaceful coexistence and social integration among young people. He urged the participating teams to compete with discipline, fair play and respect for one another, while using the tournament to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood across the Mbaise nation.
Five clans—Ahiara, Agbaja, Oke Ovoro, Ekwereazu and Ezinihitte—are participating in this year’s competition, which is one of the major sporting attractions of the 2026 Iri Ji Mbaise cultural festival.
In the opening match, Ahiara secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Agbaja, with Ebuka Nwogwugwu scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute to hand his side the first victory of the competition.
The tournament is expected to continue today with Ezinihitte takes on Ekwereazu as the participating clans compete for honours while celebrating Mbaise’s cultural heritage and promoting grassroots football development.
