Umuanyagu, one of the communities that constitutes Igbo Agwuru Asa Kingdom on Saturday, September 4, 2021 flagged off the yearly Igbo Agwuru Asa cultural wrestling festival at the Umuanyagu playground.
We gathered that the wrestling festival which marks the culture of the people is rotated among the number of communities that make up Igbo Agwuru Asa, and that it fell on the laps of Umuanyagu community to be the first to host it this year, after which another community takes over until it goes round all the communities.
His Royal Highness, Eze Godwin Onyeche Amadi (JP) Onye Ishi Ala Umuanyagu, the host paramount ruler led other traditional rulers from Igbo Agwuru Asa, including HRM, Eze Dr. S. N. Amaechi – paramount ruler of Igbo Agwuru Asa to the Umuanyagu playground, venue of the rich cultural event, treated community people and guests who came to witness the occasion were witnessed wonderful display of wrestling skills by budding young men.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, Engr. Sunny Amadi, one of the sons of Eze Godwin Onyeche Amadi who tagged the occasion: “My people, My culture, My heritage, described it as the celebration of the culture of Igbo Agwuru Asa people.
He said the yearly wrestling festival offers the opportunity to harnesses the potentials of youths who could be potential medalists in future Olympics in wrestling.
Engr. Amadi who further described wrestling as a unifying factor disclosed that it is one of the events the traditional institution constituted after the Nigerian civil war to unite the people and reduce the trauma of the war.
The icon of culture said he was satisfied with the standard of the wrestling festival and skills displayed by the youths and urged that it should be maintained.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Umuanyagu community, Favour John Onyesoh said culture, which he described as a way of life of the people was being celebrated. He told journalists that the yearly wrestling event brings the youths together for peace and unity of Igbo Agwuru Asa Kingdom.
Hon. Prince Ahunanya Councillor representing Ward 5, in Etche Local Government said the festival is an annual event they use to gather their people together especially those they have not seen for a long time. Like Engr. Sunny Amadi, he told journalists that the wrestling festival is a unifying factor instituted for the peace and unity of Umuanyangu people and Igbo Agwuru Asa Kindom.
The cultural festival will be rounded off on December 25, after it would have gone round all the communities.
