Eket Urban 2 Unity Cup Competition Kicks Off with Colourful Opening Ceremony

Eket Urban 2 Unity Cup Competition Kicks Off with Colourful Opening Ceremony

The Eket Urban 2 Unity Cup Competition kicked off with a well-attended and colourful opening ceremony on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Holy Child School Field, Idua, Eket.

The event was graced by the tournament sponsor, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who attended with his wife, Deaconess Helen Bassey. Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, and her husband, Directors and staff of the Ministry, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, along with his board members, Chairman of Akwa United FC, Mr Joseph Eno, and other officials of the club, Retired Permanent Secretary, Pastor Umoh Bassey, and the Chairman of SWAN Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan.

The ceremony also enjoyed the blessings of community leaders, including the Village Head of Atabong, Obong Ferdinand Ikwang, and the Village Head of Idua, Chief (Hon.) Samuel Tommy, among others. A large crowd of enthusiastic supporters filled the venue, adding colour and excitement to the occasion.

The ceremonial kickoff was performed by Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, former member representing Eket State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The opening match between Idua and Atabong lived up to expectations, ending in a 1–1 draw after an intense contest.

Idua started strongly and took the lead through Edidiong Pius, who converted a well-worked team move with a powerful left-foot strike that left the goalkeeper helpless. The goal ignited the match, but there were no further goals before the first-half whistle.

During the halftime break, Elder Paul Bassey was welcomed warmly with songs from jubilant women celebrating his leadership and his support for Governor Pastor Umo Eno’s administration. Addressing the crowd, Elder Bassey expressed gratitude to all present and shared the vision behind the competition.

“The Unity Cup is not just about football. It is a platform to positively engage our youths and promote unity within the community. This is part of our support for Governor Umo Eno’s human capacity development initiative under the Arise Agenda,” he said.

He also announced that the final match will take place at the Eket Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

In a major highlight, Friends of the Commissioner made generous cash donations, raising the tournament’s prize money from ₦1 million to ₦2 million, a gesture that thrilled community leaders and players alike.

The second half saw Atabong fighting hard for an equaliser, which came in the dying minutes when Samuel Dominic capitalised on a defensive error to level the score. The goal sparked celebrations among fans as the match ended 1–1.

After the game, Akwa United FC Chairman, Mr Joseph Eno, praised the quality of play, describing the encounter as “wonderful.” He noted that the area is rich in football talent and expressed optimism that with tournaments like the Urban Unity Cup, the community will soon produce stars for Akwa United and other top clubs.

He further commended Elder Bassey’s initiative, saying it aligns with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno to promote grassroots development, adding that the tournament “deserves thumbs up and full support.”

The week-long tournament, running from October 5 to 12, 2025, will feature five teams representing the five villages of Eket Ward 2 Urban: Atabong, Idua, Ekpene Ukpa, Ukwa, and Udofa. Each team will field 40 players, showcasing the depth of grassroots football talent in the area.