Ikot Abasi local government area will pocket a whopping sum of N5 million for emerging the champions of the 2023/24 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup competition after beating favorites Uyo local government area 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
At the final which had the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno as the Special Guest of Honour at the Uyo Township Stadium, Ikot Abasi took the lead in the second minute of the encounter through Abraham Bassey, before Shedrack Anthony level things up for Uyo five minutes from half time.
The second half started with an early scare from Uyo, but the effort was ruled offside by the FIFA badged centre referee, Mfon Akpan. Uyo continued to threaten, but missed a golden opportunity to grab the winner in the 83rd minute when striker Shedrack Anthony failed to convert his spot kick.
With the game straight into penalty shootouts, Uyo missed their first and the last kick, as Ikot Abasi scored four times to win Governor’s Cup for the first time in the history of the competition.
Earlier, Glorious Felix’s goal was enough for Urue Offong Oruko to defeat Essien Udim one nil to clinch the bronze medal of the competition.
Speaking before the presentation of the trophy to the Champions, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi congratulated Ikot Abasi for their spirited performance at the final and commended Uyo for putting up a good fight.
He thanked all the 31 teams that took part in the competition and assured that from the report he has been receiving, his administration will continue to support the growth and development of sports in the state, which he described as a veritable tool for peace, unity and talent discovery in the state.
The Governor who announced the prize money of 5 Million to the winners, N3 Million to second place team and N2 Million to the third place team, promised to personally receive the three teams on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Akwa Ibom State Executive Chamber, Government House Uyo before the commencement of the State Executive Council meeting.
For the individual awards, Agada Daniel from Urue Offong Oruko emerged the Highest Goal Scorer with nine goals, Hossana Uyoh from Uyo was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the competition, Ikot Abasi goalkeeper, Blessed Iwok won the Best Goalkeeper while Essien Udim was voted the Best Behaved Team of the competition.
The grand finale of the Governor’s Cup was witnessed by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Udeme Otong, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem, other members of the State Assembly, Senators representing Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts, Senator Ekong Sampson and Senator Aniekan Bassey, members of the State Executive Council, Honorary Special Assistants to the Governor, Transition Committee Chairmen, captains of industry and very distinguished Akwa Ibom sons and daughters.
