Ugwuanyi, Chukwu commend NBplc’s commitment to sports development

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and former Captain of the Green Eagles, Christian Chukwu, at the weekend, commended Nigeria Breweries’ commitment to promotion of sports and human fitness.

Speaking at the grand finale of the Ama Brewery Manager’s yearly football tournament in Enugu, they stated that the brewery had continuously supported the government to ensure the wellbeing and development of its citizens.

The Logistics Department won the competition by beating the Administration Department 5- 3 via penalties. Both teams had ended the game 1-1 during regular time.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Manfred Nzekwe, expressed delight that the yearly football competition continued to live to expectation.

“I am elated by the standard. One of the things they have achieved in this is to keep fit and encourage the young ones. I pray they take it to the grassroots so that people can discover their talents through football. Most of the people that played have found their feet in their profession.

“That was a wonderful outing and you can see for yourself that this tournament, organised by the Nigerian Breweries, has always lived up to its name. I didn’t know the players were staff of the NBplc because they played like professionals. I really feel delighted about the whole thing and I encourage them to keep it up.

“If all other establishments will one way or the other emulate what is happening here, I believe we will have a better society. Some of the players are exceptionally good and could serve in our local leagues. So, I thank the company for what they are doing,” he said.

Chukwu, in his reaction, described the competition as “a healthy development that will foster unity in the departments of the establishment.

“I am happy to have seen this kind of thing. You know exercise keeps people fit and healthy and I am happy it is departmental football and that will make all the units friendly and happy. I saw some good players, and I think I will talk to them and see how far they can go. But they are staff of this place so I don’t think they can leave what they are doing here for any profession,” he said.

The former Enugu Rangers coach also advised the brewery to continue and improve on the competition, stressing: “It brings unity, hard work, fitness and good health.”

He said that the brewery has continued to ensure human development, adding that history will always be kind on the outfit.

Ama Brewery Manager, Mr Peter Ani, said the yearly exercise was a deliberate way to promote health competition and ensure a bond of unity in the organisation.

He assured that the Brewery would continue to support the competition, which he said included other sporting activities to enable her workers to continue to keep fit.