By Solomon OKPO
EKET, The 2025 Eket Urban 2 Unity Cup Football Tournament kicked off in grand style on Sunday, October 5, with a vibrant and well-attended opening ceremony at the Holy Child School Field, Idua, Eket.
The colourful event was graced by prominent dignitaries led by the tournament sponsor and Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who arrived with his wife, Deaconess Helen Bassey. Their presence, alongside other high-profile guests, added prestige to the grassroots football competition.
Among the top officials in attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, and her husband; Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, and board members; Chairman of Akwa United FC, Mr Joseph Eno; and the Chairman of SWAN Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan.
Traditional and community leaders also showed strong support, including Mkpisong Dr Ferdinand Ikwang, Village Head of Atabong, and Chief (Hon.) Samuel Tommy Eyiridua, Village Head of Idua.
Former Eket lawmaker, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, performed the ceremonial kickoff, setting the stage for the tournament’s opening match between Idua and Atabong. The fiercely contested game ended in a 1–1 draw, with Edidiong Pius scoring first for Idua and Samuel Dominic equalising late for Atabong after a defensive error.
Halftime celebrations featured songs from jubilant women in honour of Elder Bassey, who later addressed the crowd, emphasising the purpose of 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,” Bassey said. “This is part of our support for Governor Umo Eno’s human capacity development initiative under the Arise Agenda.”
In a heartwarming twist, Friends of the Commissioner pledged additional support, raising the prize money from ₦1 million to ₦2 million — a gesture that drew applause from the crowd.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr Ubong Bassey, assured fans of a smooth and entertaining tournament, commending Elder Bassey for his commitment to youth and sports development.
Post-match reactions were equally enthusiastic. Akwa United FC Chairman, Mr Joseph Eno, lauded the high quality of play and said such grassroots initiatives would help discover future stars.
“The Unity Cup aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda to promote grassroots development. This tournament deserves full support,” he stated.
The week-long competition will run until Sunday, October 12, with five teams representing the villages of Eket Ward 2 Urban: Atabong, Idua, Ekpene Ukpa, Ukwa, and Idung Udofa. Each team will feature 40 players, offering a rich display of local football talent.
The final match is scheduled to hold at the Eket Stadium, where one village will emerge champion of the much-celebrated tournament.
