AKWA UTD LAND EKET PAY COURTESY CALL ON PARAMOUNT RULER, COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
Sports Recorder edition, Saturday, October 21, 2023. By Mfon Patrick
Team Akwa United led by the chairman Elder Paul Bassey arrived the oil city of Eket Friday afternoon ahead of their NPFL matchday 4 game against Shooting Stars scheduled for Sunday.
Akwa United contingent comprising twenty players, coaches and some key officials paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of Eket His Royal Majesty Edidem E. C. D. Abia in his palace.
In his speech, chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey commended the Royal Father for making out time to receive the team in his palace and observed that it was pertinent for the club to visit the palace of His Royal Majesty to officially inform him of the team’s mission in his domain.
Elder Bassey informed the Royal Father that the state’s flagship team Akwa United has been granted permission by the league organizers to play her home matches in Eket, adding that the stadium is one of the best in the country. He used the occasion to seek royal blessings for the team.
In his response, the paramount ruler of Eket Edidem E. C. D Abia thanked Akwa United Football Club for the honour and respect done to him by officially intimating him about the team’s presence in Eket. The paramount ruler welcomed the team to Eket and advised the players to be committed, disciplined, dedicated and focused as professionals that they are.
Edidem Abia congratulated the team on their past achievements and wished them success in the upcoming season while also assuring them of the peoples support.
The team also paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Eket local government council Honourable Akaniyene Tommey at his residence.
The Club boss Elder Paul Bassey explained the reason behind the team’s choice of Eket as her home ground for the 2023-24 season and solicited for support from the council chairman and the people of the area.
In his remarks, the council boss Honourable Akaniyene Tommey in the presence of his Vice Honourable Comfort Emmanuel
expressed appreciation to God for the many achievements of the team in the past seasons and noted that the coming of Akwa United to Eket for the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League season is a blessing to the area, stressing that the move will add positively to the economic life of the people.
Honourable Tommie expressed appreciation to the immediate past governor of the state Deacon Udom Emmanuel for building the Eket Stadium which he said has brought back national and international sporting activities to the area. He thanked the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State Pastor Umo Eno for ensuring that the sports facility is adequately maintained.
The council boss promised that he will do his best to be physically present with his team of supporters alongside the sports loving people of Eket anytime the team is playing to cheer them to victory.
Akwa United, champions of the league in 2021 will play her homes matches in the 18,000 sitting capacity Eket Stadium until the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Nest of Champions is less busy with international matches.
Akwa United and Shooting Stars will kickoff their matchday 4 game at four O’clock in the afternoon.
