Olu Of Warri Wishes He Could Play Football, Ijaw/Itsekiri Tournament Gets Royal blessing in Delta
By Ezekiel Kagbala
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III on Monday, November 7th, Wished that he could play the 2022 Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football competition scheduled to start on the 16th of November 2022, "But my chiefs won't let me, he said.
The Warri monarch spoke about his admiration for the 'sporting' event at his palace in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, where he gave his endorsement and royal blessings to the organiser, Chief Sheriff Mulade and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), asserting how he had loved to play football when he was much younger.
First, the Organising Committee, (LOC) officially presented the football apparel (T-shirt) to the Olu seeking his blessings, presence, and backing for the grassroots sport that has been well organized to promote talents since 2017.
The Olu applauded Sheriff Mulade for initiating such a laudable program and treated the LOC members to a cheerful reception.
Some traditional chiefs who received members of the team includes; Chief Meme Brown, Chief Patrick Yalaju, Chief Clement Malegemi and hosts of notable personalities.
The chief sponsor of the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace Unity football tournament, Mulade who appreciated the Olu said; "We are greatly honored to share with you, the Ijaw and Itsekiri football tournament which started in 2017, It was well embraced in the State.
"From previous matches, we saw that there was need to restrategise for the best Itsekiri team to meet the best Ijaw team at the finals.
"We are here to intimate His Majesty and seek his blessings, if it pleases his majesty, we love to also invite him to this football tournament.
"The venues of the tournament will be at Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities in Warri South West local government area, Benikrukru is an Ijaw community, while Ugborodo is an Itsekiri community, all these will help to achieve it's purpose.
"We need our father's presence in the opening and finals, especially to present the trophies, one thing that unites us as a people is football, the purpose of the game is to promote peaceful coexistence", Mulade Said.
The Olu of Warri commended Sheriff Mulade for the initiative, and Said; "I use to play when I was much younger, How I wished that my people could allow me to play. It would be nice, if Amaju Pinnick is part of it, I will communicate with him on it". The Olu said.
The Warri monarch further, endorsed the football tournament with royal blessings and prayed for a successful Ijaw Itsekiri football tournament.
The Local Organising committee was led by the chief Organiser and sponsor, Chief Sheriff Mulade, Chairman of Delta State Football Association, DFA, SSA to Governor Okowa on Sports; Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, Secretary; Mr. Matthew Itsekure; Dr. Jeffrey Wilikie; Assistant Director of Finance; Mr. Philemon Ugedi, Asst. Director of Security and a host of others.
