Pastor Umo Eno salutes GRASOF as Easter Unity Cup ends. Promises robust sports development
The maiden edition of the Pastor Umo Eno Easter Unity Cup ended on Monday at the West Itam Sports Complex, Ikot Ekpene Road, Akwa Ibom State with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Umo Eno, in whose honour the tournament was organised, showering praises on all partners who have made it a reality.
Speaking at the final before taking the official kickoff, Eno stressed football’s capacity to unite.
“We’re glad to be here this afternoon and I thank the organisers for what they’ve done. I thank the players and everybody that is here.
“I want to thank my brother and friend pastor Ubong Jonah who has put this together. I thank our brother Elder Paul Bassey for all the support.
“Today is the final of this event. I like to say that sport is one of the vehicles for unity in this country. Even as we play football today, everybody will come together.
“When Nigeria plays football, there’s no party, no gender no ethnic group. Even if people are fighting, the war will wait until football is over.”
The immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources then promised to improve the sport sector massively through infrastructural development and providing platforms for talents to excel if elected come 2023.
“Football is an instrument of unity, and for us by the grace of God, from May 29,2023, we’ll make football one of those vehicles that we’ll encourage.
“Across the 10 federal constituencies, this was developed as a vision to ensure that we get talents in every federal constituency.
“We’ll revisit that vision and we’ll ensure we do that.
“There’ll always be sports festival so that we’ll continuously harvest the sports talents in the country.
“I want to say that by the grace of God, our young talents will be discovered. Our brother Paul Bassey will still help us do a lot of work so that we’ll continue to have Akwa Ibomites play at the national level and even beyond.
“I want to be sure that within the first four years, working with people like Paul Bassey, we should be able to have a football academy in Akwa Ibom State.”
The tournament was organized by Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF) with Hon. John Ekpenyong as Tournament Coordinator, while Comrade Ita Peters was the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee.
Dignitaries present at the finale included the Director General of the Umo Eno Campaign Organisation, Chief Assam E. Assam (SAN), the Deputy Director General, Pst. Godwin Ntukide, Secretary, Honourable Enobong Uwah, International President of the Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Emmanuel Enoidem, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Sports and Chairman of Akwa United, Elder Paul Bassey, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan among others.
Dynamic FC of Uyo emerged champions of the Pastor Umo Eno Easter Unity Cup after a 1-0 win over Olegacy FC of Oron, while Miracle FC of Itu finished third following their penalty shootout triumph over ALGON Boys FC of Uyo.
