Journalist gives trophy for church football tournament

An Imo journalist, Odowueze Ubanze, has given a trophy for the 2026 Imo Baptist Conference Royal Ambassadors football competition. The event is set for this October.

Mr Ubanze works with Channels Television and is a counsellor at the Baptist Church in Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State. He presented the trophy to the church in Owerri on Tuesday.

In his speech, he said he donated the trophy to help keep the youth of the church busy and to reduce bad behaviors.

He hopes that the trophy and the tournament will grow into a bigger competition. He wants the players to form a club that can compete at both state and national levels.

Mr Ubanze thanked the Imo Baptist Conference, which is the main body for all Baptist Churches in the state. He promised to keep supporting the church’s goals.

“On behalf of my family and the Baptist Church, Avu, I hereby present this trophy to the Imo Baptist Conference, to the glory of God,” he said.

Uzoma Uzoeshi, the President of the Imo Baptist Conference, received the trophy. He said it would help support the church’s Royal Ambassador Ministry. He believes it will create a lasting team spirit for the annual competition.

Mr Uzoeshi, who is a priest, mentioned that this donation comes at a time when young people are struggling with idleness, drugs, and crime.

“We are raising young men who are strong in spirit, sound in mind, and fit in the body. A church that engages its youth on the field will keep them faithful at the altar,” he said.

He thanked Mr Ubanze for his generosity. He urged organizations and individuals to support this cause.

“Let us join hands, sponsor a team, donate kits, support logistics, so that together we can build a Conference where our youth are won, discipled, and deployed for Christ and community transformation,” the priest said.