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| Family Photo |
Many observers say if not of the heavy down pour that didn't however in anyway succeed to mar the occasion, the number of spectators, close to 1.000 that answered present on the Mbengwi Municipal Stadium on Sunday July 2nd 2023 to watch the opening matches of the maiden edition of the Soccer for Hope Tournament organised by Withgodep Foundation and international partners would've doubled.
In the opening encounter whose kick off was done by the National Secretary General of the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA), Fobang Roland Achu accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ngu Emmanuel of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Njindom, Mukomo Roland of God's Time Enterprise, Mbengwi, H.R.H Fon Eujige Solomon of Kobenyang village and Tayong Emmanuel Njoh, head of the organising committee, Njembeng F.C beat Bessi Fomukong hands down by 5 goals to 0. The same score line situation was recorded at the end of the second match played same day during which Tondig F.C also beat Mbemi F.C by 5 goals to 0.
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| Organising Committee Member Brandishing the Tournament's Roll up |
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| Mbemi F.C, Sponsored by Abu Dhabi House G.R.A Mbengwi |
Despite the unavoidable absence of the Executive Director of Withgodep Foundation, Seta Withgodep Wiertz from the launching ceremony, a resounding success of the event was still recorded and echoes have been going far and wide, in and out of the country. Speaking before the commencement of the second half of the second match, the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam said "I want to thank the organisers of this competition. They've made us to know that those opportunities that we've been missing in the past can still come into the limelight. These are the type of activities that I want in our municipality."
He went on to encourage all not to give up hope especially as he's learnt many persons are now of the opinion that their educational future in Mbengwi is bleak following the blocking of the main roads into and out of the municipality and allegations that the administration will force schools to function on Mondays and compel children to wear uniforms come September. As a result, parents are making plans to get their children out to go pursue studies elsewhere.
"I want to assure you that where there's a will there's a way. Even if the roads are blocked for the nearest one year we are still going to survive in Mbengwi and so please my dearest children don't be discouraged. I tell you God is going to fight our fight for us" he assured.
The ceremony was animated by a bike caravan, horse display and traditional dance by the Mukonge Dance Group of Barakwe. More beauty was added to the event with the coming in of some institutions and companies as sponsors of some teams like Mbemi FC that's being sponsored by Abbu Dhabi Guest House located in G.R.A Mbengwi and Tondig FC that's being sponsored by ANS Immigration, an International Travel company specialised in facilitating immigration into Canada. The duo have supplied a set of jerseys to their respective teams with their brand names printed on them.
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| Some Prominent Business Persons in Mbengwi Watching the Matches |
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| Some Members of Organising Committee |
According to the fixtures, 8 teams placed into 2 poles are competing in the tournament expected to last for a month. Matches have been programmed to be played on Fridays and Sundays, two matches per day. On Friday June 7, Bome will play against Mile 18 while Mile 1920 takes on Mile 17 marking the end of play for the first round. Cash prizes of at least 1 million francs will be distributed to winners, participants and distinguished players, officials on the day of the final expected to end with a red carpet night at Abbi Fall Resort.
The Soccer for Hope Tournament though being an initiative of Withgodep Foundation is sponsored by foreign partners like FTBLBOOTS, 90PLUSX, EX-AMINO and the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy. As revealed to Mbengwi Online by the Executive Director of the foundation, the goal is that at the end of the tournament, at least one promising young player will be sponsored to go out of the country, precisely to Germany (where most of the international partners of the tournament are based) to undergo more professional training in football. As such, the Soccer for Hope Tournament is not just about playing football. It's about realising a dream.
