By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Actions continued Wednesday in the Anambra State Traders’ Competition as Nkwo Market, Umunze team drew 1-1 with Odera Market, Awka in their second Group A match played at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.
Tochukwu Okafor scored in the 3rd minute to give Nkwo Market, Umunze the lead, but the team lost many scoring chances and gave the opponent an opportunity to equalize in the second half of the encounter.
Odera Market lost its first game 3-0 to Iron Dealers, Atani on November 4. Two teams will qualify for the semis from the two groups.
Ajasa Market, Onitsha defeated Old Motor Dealers, Obosi 2-0 in the Group B match played at the Achebe Stadium, Fegge on November 4.
Speaking after the game, Chief Humphrey Anuna, President General of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA called on traders to engage in regular sports.
Anuna said the leadership initiated sporting activity this year to enable traders to have physical health activities, and not always in the markets for business, “knowing that good health is important to life.”
“Football is a very popular sport played by both children and adults, competitively or simply for fun. It requires a wide range of physical, technical, tactical and psychological qualities, adjusted to the demands of the sporting engagement for our healthy living”, Anuna said.
According to him, the traders’ sports competition featuring football, tennis, table tennis, draught and Ncho are on-going across the state with full support of the state government.
“Governor Chukwuma Soludo took the kickoff of the events to showcase the state government support for it”, he said.
He said the competition is progressing, while enjoining participants to play by the rules and in the spirit of sportsmanship.
“We want injury free participants, especially in the football event. It should not be a do or die affair but in a brotherly manner.
“Don’t harm any opposing player, the goal post is there for you to score as many goals as you can with all your strengths”, Anuna said.
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