United Nigeria Airlines has pledged its commitment to uniting people across the country and continent by sponsoring the third edition of the Ndigboamaka Traders Cup in Lagos, saying sports deliver social, economic and health benefits.

The Managing Director of United Nigeria Airlines, Osita Okonkwo, made the pledge during the third edition of the United Nigeria Airlines Ndigboamaka Traders Cup, held at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium on Saturday in Lagos State.

Speaking on the reason for supporting the football tournament, Okonkwo said, “This is the second year UNA has supported the tournament, which brings together young men from the association’s 54-member markets across the state.”

He added that the major reason for the sponsorship is UNA’s mission to unite people across the country and continent, adding that sports deliver social, economic and health benefits to the society.

The aviation company also offered a special travel package for association members, which is designed to help traders move their goods more easily, as Okonkwo said United Nigeria Airlines loves to partner with groups whose members share its commitment to growth and to cross-regional connection.

The tournament featured the Nigeria Customs Service football team, Ndigboamaka All Stars, Olojo Drive FC, Computer Village FC, COPDAS FC and United Allied Spare Parts Dealers Association FC, with the third-place match between Computer Village FC and COPDAS FC ending 1-1 before COPDAS won by a penalty shootout.

The final match was played between United Allied Spare Parts Dealers Association FC and Olojo Drive FC, the team representing the Ojo Alaba International Main Market, and after a 2-2 draw at full time, Olojo Drive FC won by a penalty shootout to emerge champions, while UASPDA finished second and COPDAS took third, as the President of Ndigboamaka Traders Association, Chinedu Ukatu, described the tournament as a unity competition whose aim is to bring traders together beyond the market, so that they compete on the pitch rather than quarrel, adding that organisers want to take the competition beyond Lagos to traders in other states, and eventually to a larger ‘5.0’ edition.