By Sports Recorder
In a move aimed at bolstering grassroots sports and promoting community cohesion, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has donated sporting equipment to participating teams and organizers ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 Eket Ward 2 Urban Unity Cup.
The donation, which included five complete sets of jerseys for each team, footballs, and other essential materials, was presented Thursday morning at the commissioner’s office in Uyo. The gesture comes as final preparations are underway for the tournament’s kick-off on Sunday, October 5.
Elder Bassey, a native of Eket Ward 2 Urban and the principal sponsor of the event, underscored the tournament’s role in empowering young people and fostering peace through sports. He urged the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure seamless planning and execution of the week-long tournament.
“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,” Bassey stated.
The tournament will feature five teams representing the five villages that make up Eket Ward 2 Urban, Atabong, Idua, Ekpene Ukpa, Ukwa, and Udofa. Each team will comprise 40 players, all of whom are required to be card-carrying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and registered voters.
A grand prize of ₦1,000,000 has been set aside for the winning team, as part of efforts to incentivize participation and reward excellence.
“As a proud son of Ward 2 Urban, I remain committed to initiatives that uplift our people and bring government closer to the grassroots through empowerment and community engagement,” Elder Bassey affirmed.
Chairman of the LOC, Mr. Ubong Bassey, who received the items on behalf of the organizers, expressed gratitude for the Commissioner’s unwavering support.
“This tournament is a timely and impactful initiative that will benefit our youths and strengthen unity among our communities. We are grateful for the Honourable Commissioner’s commitment,” he said.
The tournament will be held at the Holy Child School Field in Idua, with matches scheduled daily from October 5 to October 12. The event is expected to draw local spectators and showcase promising football talent from across the ward.
