…says it unites his people and exposes latent stars and talents amongst the youths.
“This is the 6th. Edition, and as long as I breath, I will continue to sponsor the tournament” – Barr. Ebitu
Akwa Ibom State Legal Adviser of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and a former Secretary of IbomAir, Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu on 31st. December, 2023, splashed well over one million Naira on the winners of his Annual Football Tournament, tagged: Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu Unity Cup.
According to the legal luminary, the tournament is for the youths of Afaha Eket Group of Villages in Eket LGA, that comprises of Atai Ndon, Atibe and Ekpene Communities. He said that the tournament seeks to unite his people and also to exposed latent football stars in the community.
Hear him:
” I started this tournament with a singular intention of bringing Unity to my people, and I want to say that, to some extent it has achieved that. We are not there yet but I know some day we will be there.
“One other benefit I think the tournament will bring to Afaha Eket Community is that it will get our youths engaged during December period.
“We have 94 families in Afaha-Eket Community, consisting of 3 villages of Atai Ndon, Atibe and Ekpene. This year, only 15 families registered for this tournament; and we have 20 young boys involved per Village, and by my analysis, that’s 300 youths, coming out from our community to be engaged for one month. That simply means that there are young latent football stars and talents waiting to be exposed within the Community”
He further encourages the young players by narrating a short story of his sojourn as a banker.
He said that while working as a Banker, he was transferred to a Community in the Eastern part of the country call Arochukwu. There, he was opportuned to watch a village football tournament sponsored by a business man from that village by name Byron Irokanulo. The tournament was tagged Byron Irokanulo Unity Cup in Arochukwu, Imo State. He said it was during one of the matches that he spotted one slim young boy, he asked why is such talented player wasting in the village? He was told that he lives at Owerri, and the boy was and is Kanu Nwankwo. “Kanu also played Village football as far back as 1987, and today, he is a billionaire, a successful footballer, many football Stars today all started in their villages like you now, so when you people have this kind of opportunity, don’t think it’s all about the little money that you are going to win, no no no!!, some persons might be watching you, so exhibit your God given talents, and this will attract the attention of Scouts and talent hunters” He advised.
Barr. Ebitu was also full of praises and appreciation to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC and technical team, Jonathan Amaku.
Hear him:
“Let me single out the chairman of the LOC, Jonathan Amaku, a former international footballer who played Professional football in France. He played for Super Eagles of Nigeria, he played for NNPC football club of Kaduna, he played for Abiola Babes of Abeokuta, and Calabar Rovers. For the past 6years, he has been my dependable Ally, having Chaired the LOC of the tournament for 6yrs. He has suffered enough insult and yet he remains calm. For what you have done for this Community, in respect of this tournament, the rewards will come in ways you less expected, you will be given higher responsibility after this tournament” he concluded.
The high point was the Presentation of prizes and medals to the three finalists: Esu, Edoho and Ekong’s family.
Esu’s family emerged winner with the sum of N500,000.00 ( Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only), having defeated her opponent Edoho’s family in a penalty shoot out. Edoho’s family therefore took second position with the sum of N300,000.00, (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) while Ekong’s family took the third position with the sum of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only)
Dr. Princewill Ekanem, a former Executive Officer at Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, did the presentation of medals to the third place team, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, Chairman of Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission, AKISIEC, presented medals and cheque to the second placed team, while Chief Uduak Essien, Chairman Board of Directors, All Weather International School and Edon Bassey Oduenyie, an Abuja based Estate Manager, presented the medal and star prize to the Champions.
Daniel Edon writes from Eket.
Enjoy the pictures below;
