Kingsley Akpan Unity Cup kicks off in Ikono
An Easter Football Tournament has been kicked off in Ikono by the Transition Committee Chairman of the area, Hon. Kingsley Akpan, with Ward 1 beating Ward IV 2-0 in the opening match, played on Sunday, 17th March, 2024.
The tournament featuring 12 teams representing the political wards in Ikono is scheduled to hold between 17th and 31st March, 2024 in three centers within the local government.
Performing the kick-off of the tournament christened “Hon. Kingsley Akpan Unity Cup” Sunday, the Ikono Local Government helmsman, said the tournament was aimed at building bridge of peace and unity in the local government, tasking participating teams on maintaining the spirit of brotherliness and sportsmanship.
“One thing that is very critical to development is peace and that’s the reason we’re organising this Unity Cup as a way of fostering peace and unity in Ikono.
“Our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno is known for peace, unity and progress and as a Council, we’ll continue to emulate him and follow the right direction he’s leading.
“We are trying to build a team that can represent us and we’ll see how to push the talents that will be discovered in this tournament to the next level”, Hon. Akpan stated.
According to the Ikono Council boss, the winners of tournament will smile home with the cash prize of N500,000 while the
Runner’s up and second runner’s up will go home with N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, in addition to prizes announced by the Ikono Council helmsman, Chairmen from two other local government – Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene LGAs who graced the opening ceremony of the tournament also announced their support respectively.
While the Chairman of Obot Akara, Hon. Anietie Ibritam who described youth development as a key component of Gov. Umo Eno’s ARISE agenda pledged to support the tournament with the sum of N200,000.
The Chairman of Ikot Ekpene, Hon. John Cleton on his part pledged an additional cash prize of N100,000 to the winning team, N50, 000 to the runner’s up, 50,000 to the Highest Scorer and N50, 000 to the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Among Sports enthusiasts that attended the opening ceremony of the Chairman’s cup include: Barr. John John Akpan – Vice Chairman of Ikono, Hon. Udeme Obot – Secretary of Ikono, Hon. Etido Ime John – Supervisor for Youths and Sports, Ikono, Obongemem Christopher Udoh, Mr. Iniobong Udofia, Barr. Charles Ndarake, Chief Itoro Okoren, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan – State Chairman SWAN, Mr. John Ekpenyong, Mr. Emmanuel Boniface, Mr. Mfon Ottuk and a host of others.
According to the Media Aide to the Chairman, Ikono Local Government Transition Committee, Augustine Akpan, the final of the tournament is scheduled for Sunday, 31st March, 2024 at Ikono Mini Stadium, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.
