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By JOHNPAUL ALUMONA
The Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Unity Cup 2026 is set to kick-off on Sunday at the Eket Stadium, an official has said.
The Tournament Coordinator, Mr John Ekpenyong, disclosed this on Wednesday when he led members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to visit the sponsor, Sen. Ekong Sampson, in Uyo.
Ekpenyong, also the National President, Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF), commended Sampson for making the tournament a reality.
He said that the tournament was not just about winning trophies, but about giving youths a sense of belonging and discovering hidden talents.
“This tournament is also dear to our hearts because it will create opportunities for youths to move from idleness to productivity,” he said.
According to him, beyond the game, youths in the area will gain exposure, discipline, mentorship and economic opportunities.
“Another key benefit of this event is that three outstanding players will get professional trials in Belgium and Germany,” he said.
“I and my team frankly commend the sponsor, our dear senator for his visionary leadership and commitment to youth development.
“We thank him for his magnanimity and belief that from the grassroots, we can raise champions who will put Akwa Ibom South on the world map,” he said.
The coordinator urged the 12 local government areas in the senatorial district to support and participate fully in the tournament because its positive roles in promoting unity, talent discovery and community development.
On his part, Sampson commended the coordinator and members of the LOC for their initiative and commitment to making the tournament a reality.
He described football as a promoter unity and peace, saying, “football creates employment opportunities and projects individuals and communities to visibility”
“We may not know the name of the Argentine President, but we all know that Lionel Messi is from Argentina.
“The same applies to Portugal. Many of us may not know the name of its President, but we know Cristiano Ronaldo. That is what football can do,” he said.
He urged the LOC to treat the tournament as an opportunity to foster unity among the 12 local government areas, saying that football had the capacity to unite people and communities.
The senator said that the unity cup was more than football, describing it as a vehicle for unity, peace and economic empowerment.
Sampson charged the LOC to uphold transparency and professionalism in managing the event in order to achieve the objective of talent discovery.
He urged GRASOF to consider planning and organizing a football tournament for female teams in the senatorial district.
“I must thank GRASOF for all you do to bring our youths together. Your commitment to grassroots development is deeply appreciated,” the senator said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the meeting was the presentation of jerseys to coordinators in the 12 local government areas. (NAN)
