…As Ikot Ufen Emerges Champion.
By Divine Sam
The grand finale of the maiden edition of the Dr. Nsisong Ekong Football Tournament, popularly known as the Unity Cup, combined thrilling football action with strong messages of unity, youth development, and purposeful leadership in Abak Local Government Area, as communities also poured encomiums on the sponsor and expressed support for his state assembly aspiration in 2027.
The final match between Afaha Essang and Ikot Ufen ended in a goalless draw after regulation time, leading to a tense penalty shootout. Ikot Ufen held their nerves to secure a 5–4 victory, emerging champions of the tournament. Afaha Essang finished as runners-up, while Ikot Obong claimed third place and Ikot Akpan Ikpong came fourth, in a competition widely praised for showcasing grassroots football talent and strengthening community bonds.
In his remarks, the sponsor of the tournament, Dr. Nsisong Ekong, described the Unity Cup as a deliberate initiative aimed at fostering peace, unity, and youth engagement. He explained that the tournament was designed not just for competition, but as a platform to bring people together and create opportunities for young talents to thrive.
Dr. Ekong emphasized that the development of Abak lies in investing in its youths through sports, education, and empowerment initiatives. He reaffirmed his commitment to programmes that uplift the people and assured that his aspiration to represent Abak in the State House of Assembly would be anchored on inclusiveness, service, and the delivery of tangible dividends of democracy.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the grand finale and immediate past Executive Chairman of Abak LGA, Rt. Hon Apostle Ekerette Inyang, represented by his aide Hon. John John Thaddeus, commended Dr. Ekong for his foresight and dedication to community development. He described the tournament as a clear demonstration that impactful leadership can be shown even without occupying public office, urging the people to continue supporting initiatives that promote unity and progress.
Rt. Hon. Inyang further encouraged the youths to remain disciplined and focused, noting that sports remains a viable pathway for growth and opportunity. He stressed that Abak stands to gain more when leaders with proven capacity, compassion, and vision are supported by the people.
In his goodwill message, the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Abak LGA, Abasiakan Udosen, popularly known as Abasiakan Paddy, applauded Dr. Ekong for creating a platform that productively engages young people and promotes unity across communities. He noted that such initiatives help redirect youthful energy away from social vices toward meaningful ventures.
Hon. Udosen also demonstrated his support by augmenting the prize money with additional donations of ₦50,000, ₦30,000, and ₦20,000 to the first, second, and third place teams respectively, reaffirming his commitment to grassroots sports development in Abak.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of cash prizes to the top four teams, with ₦200,000 awarded to Ikot Ufen as winners, ₦150,000 to Afaha Essang as second place, ₦100,000 to Ikot Obong as third place, and ₦50,000 to Ikot Akpan Ikpong as fourth place. Medals were also presented to all participating players, coaches, and media personnel in recognition of their contributions to the success of the tournament.
The event attracted a host of dignitaries and stakeholders, including Dr. Joseph Ekong, Barr. Dennis Essien, Fr. Patrick Ukpe, Pharm. Ifiok Uko, Mr. Imo Paddy, Mr. Emmanuel Ukpe (BOT Chairman, Kin International School), and Mr. Saturday Effiong (SATOMA), all of whom commended the initiative as timely and impactful.
In separate goodwill messages, community leaders, youths, and stakeholders from participating villages showered praises on Dr. Ekong, describing the Unity Cup as a unifying force and a clear demonstration of his love for the people. Many noted that the tournament had succeeded in bringing together communities that rarely interacted at such a scale, thereby strengthening peace and mutual understanding across Abak.
Several speakers expressed confidence in Dr. Ekong’s capacity to represent Abak effectively at the State House of Assembly, stating that his proactive approach to development even without holding public office is a strong indication of what his leadership would bring. They assured him of their overwhelming support, adding that his representation would attract meaningful and productive dividends of democracy, particularly in youth empowerment, infrastructure, and community development.
The successful hosting of the Unity Cup has continued to generate widespread commendation, with many calling for its institutionalization as an annual event. Stakeholders maintained that such initiatives not only promote unity but also serve as a foundation for sustainable development and inclusive leadership in Abak State Constituency.
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