The Igbo Community Aberdeen, under the leadership of Edward Obi — Director of HR Hub Plus, Peridot Recruit Limited, and Bridgebuilder of Diversity Bridge SCIO — proudly launched its inaugural "Community Spirit Cup" to promote inclusion and collaboration among the local constituted communities of Aberdeen. Edward Obi and his associated organisations are proud members of the Chamber of Commerce, which strengthens the ties between the business and ethnic minority communities in Aberdeen.
This initiative aims to strengthen relationships across ethnic groups, fostering understanding and shared values through friendly competition.
The first match of the Community Spirit Cup took place on Saturday, 21st September 2024, at St Machar Academy, Aberdeen. In a closely contested game, the Yoruba Community Aberdeen emerged victorious, winning 2-1 against the Igbo Community Aberdeen. The event was a huge success, bringing together members from both communities to enjoy a day of unity, sportsmanship, and cultural celebration.
The Community Spirit Cup was generously donated by the former Chairman of the Igbo Community Aberdeen, Mr. Anthony Anyika, as a symbol of collaboration between the ethnic groups in the city. This match marked the beginning of what is hoped to be a longstanding tradition, one that will continue to foster meaningful connections among Aberdeen's diverse communities.
Edward Obi, Chairman of the Igbo Community Aberdeen, expressed his vision for the event: "The launch of the Unity Cup represents a step forward in building stronger bonds among our local communities. It is about much more than just football; it's about inclusion, mutual respect, and celebrating our shared humanity. We are proud to lead this initiative and look forward to many more matches that will bring us closer together."
Anthony Anyika, who donated the Cup, shared his thoughts on the event: "This Cup stands for unity and a sense of belonging. I am honoured to contribute to this initiative that promotes togetherness and creates opportunities for us to collaborate across different cultural backgrounds. The success of today’s match is a sign of what we can achieve as a community."
Lanre Yusuf, Chairlady of the Yoruba Community Aberdeen, said after her community's victory: "It was an exciting match, but more importantly, it was a day where we all came together for a common cause. Winning the match is wonderful, but the real victory is the connection and solidarity we are building across communities. I am proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to future events."
The Igbo Community Aberdeen is committed to making the Community Spirit Cup a regular event, welcoming more community groups over time and continuing to reinforce the message that Aberdeen flourishes through inclusion, collaboration, and shared values. We also invite sponsors who believe in using football to promote collaboration within the community to join us in this initiative.
For further details, please contact: Edward Obi - Chairman, Igbo Community Aberdeen
Email: chairman@ica-uk.org