The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, yesterday took a historic kick-offs in a novelty match held at the playing field of Nana College in Warri as part of activities marking his first coronation anniversary
Atuwatse III, the 21st Olu of Warri, ascended the throne of Warri Kingdom in a glamorous ceremony on August 21, 2021.
The monarch and his Queen, Olori Atuwatse III, who were the Special Guests of Honour at the two novelty matches specially organised in his honour, performed the kick-offs respectively, to loud applause and admiration of his subjects and other guests.
The women’s match which held between Ebiren Olori FC and the Dynamic Ladies Club ended in a gusty 3-3 draw while the main match of the day which featured a star-studded Chevron Football Club and the Itsekiri National Youth Council FC equally ended in an energy-sapping 1-1 draw.
Some notable players at the main novelty match included former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba, Mark Edema, Dr. Segun Adeniran, Omawu Shendorf, Christopher Omoze and Timothy Mobiaku.
Addressing newsmen, the chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary planning group, Prince Yemi Emiko, said that the finale of the anniversary scheduled for Saturday at Ode-Itsekiri is expected to feature cultural display and homage paying to the monarch by various Itsekiri organisations, home and abroad, to be followed by a thanksgiving service in the Palace Church, Warri, on Sunday.
