I want to engage youths meaningfully through sports – Chief Amalukwue

By Ikemefuna Asika

Chief Benjamin Onyeka Amalukwue, Dim Maduaburochukwu na Akweze, has disclosed that what motivated him to spornsor the Akweze unity football tournament is for the youths of the community to look forward to sports as part of their development and to keep the youths off social ill behaviours.

Chief Amalukwue made the disclosure during the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 Akwaeze Unity football tournament at Akwaeze mini stadium.

He stated that while growing up in the community, he took part in similar competition but there were no sponsors.

‘ I took part in similar competition while growing up but there were no encouragement, no motivation and nothing to look forward to.

‘But after I have gone into business and noticed that the situation is still the same while we played, I decided to start sponsoring the competition, to give hope to the youths.

‘I also noticed that Akwaeze has a lot of football talented youths, so by sponsoring the competition, they will have hope that someone is behind them for support’.

He also pointed out that he is willing to help any person who wants to play abroad from the community.

‘ if there is any person who is interested in playing abroad as far as he has the talent but lack of finance or spornsorship is hindering such move, I will assist such a person to achieve his ambition.

Chief Amalukwue maintained that he is carrying on the sponsorship alone as he doesn’t want to bother any person about it. He also disclosed that he kits the teams and many at times, buy boots for the teams.

On the introduction of wrestling in this year’s event, he explained that it is part their cultural heritage hence the need to include it and athletics.

‘ it is part of our cultural heritage and not too long ago, my mother told me the story of how her mother was able to get married because in one the wrestling contests, she defeated a male opponent.

‘ So, I gave a thought and considering also there is the Akweze cultural day celebration, I decided to include it.

‘Remember, it is traditional wrestling and not WWF, so in that way, I want to bring back what it looks as if we have forgotten about.

‘Another reason is that this year is our mass return, we do it every five years, hopefully a lot of our people will be home and be part of the sports fiesta’ he said.

He advised other individuals who can afford it and philanthropist to do similar things as it engages the youths positively.

In his remark, the traditional ruler of Akwaeze, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Christopher Ndubisi Okpala, Eze Nebo 3 of Akwaeze, expressed his happiness with the competition and commended Chief Amalukwue for sponsoring the competition.

‘I am very dilighted with the competition and it is things like this that makes communities to be peaceful and progressive.

‘I thank Chief Amalukwue who has continued to sponsor the competition , it is a thing of joy and as you can see, the people are very happy’ he said.

He maintained that the inclusion of wrestling and athletics in this year’s competition is to bring back part of their cultural heritage.

He prayed for success of the competition, peace in the community and progress of all those who continue to support the progress of Akwaeze.