…As Senator Ekong Sampson Charges Youths On Discipline
Eket Local Government Area has emerged champions of the Senator Ekong Sampson Unity Cup after defeating Mbo LGA 3-1 in the final played on Sunday at the Eket Township Stadium.
Eket dominated proceedings from the opening whistle and raced to an early lead, with Mbo pulling one goal back in a spirited display that was not enough to stop the hosts from lifting the Senatorial District Talent Hunt Trophy before a large crowd of spectators.
Speaking at the final, the sponsor of the tournament and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson, charged young football talents to embrace discipline and unity as key ingredients for success.
Senator Sampson, a former sports writer, cited global icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as examples of how discipline sustains talent. He noted that football has become a huge commercial enterprise and pledged to facilitate opportunities for exceptional talents discovered at the tournament with top European clubs.
He also assured that subsequent editions of the competition would be bigger and better, while reiterating his commitment to grassroots and school sports development across the senatorial district.
The tournament, organised by the Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASSOF), led by Mr. John Ekpenyong, and sponsored by the family of Senator Ekong Sampson, featured 12 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom South. The top three teams shared a N5 million prize pool, while all participating teams received appearance fees, according to the organisers.
Senator Sampson commended the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was represented by Pastor Bassey James, council chairmen in the senatorial district, and GRASSOF for their support towards the success of the competition.
The colourful final attracted football stakeholders, local government officials, and ex-internationals from the district, including Friday Ekpo, Andrew Uwe, and former goalkeeper Bassey Akpan.
