By DADA AYOKHAI
The 26th edition of the Auchi Day Celebration of Allah Most High, which is observed annually on January 8 will kicks off with a football competition among the five Zonal villages in Auchi, namely Usogun, Akpekpe. Aibotse. Igbei and Iyekhei.
, The Committee saddled with the responsibility of organizing the annual Auchi Day event had received the royal directive from HRH Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III, Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom for the retention of the football competition to herald the lined up programme of the event.
Prince Yusuf Daz Momoh the chairman of the Auchi Day Football Committee, said the idea of a football competition from the Otaru as part of the annual event is a welcome addition, adding that it would bring more excitement and verve to the event as well as engender the spirit of sportsmanship, brings the youths and leaders together and will engender the spirit of oneness and peacebuilding.
According to him, the incorporation of a football competition into the Auchi Day events will help the youths in the community bond with each other, and learn some basic skills about the intricacies involved in traditional leadership while having a conducive atmosphere to mingle and interact with some of the palace-designated leaders in the community and, finally, to showcase their football artistry and talents.
With the introduction of football competition into the event proper, the attainment of a key part of the Football Competition’s objectives: “to forge unity, peace, and shared progress for all” becomes easier and more practicable to attain.
The fixtures of the football competition show that the matches will commence on Tuesday, 27th of December, 2022, and dovetails into the finals on 7th January, 2023, which happens to be the eve of the Auchi Day celebration. All the matches will be played at the newly reconstructed mini stadium, Ikelebe Sports Arena.
The curtain raiser for the football matches on the 27th of December pairs Usogun Zonal village against Akpekpe Zonal village as both lock horns in a titanic battle to determine which team advances to the next round.
