“Ibeno Beach soccer to project Gov. Akpabio” - Council Boss

Nigeria appears positively disposed towards the formation of a beach soccer league in the country, as top beach soccer promoters Kinetic Sports have thrown their weight behind the upcoming Ibeno Beach Soccer packaged by Ibeno Local Government Council in conjunction with Copa Lagos.

A visit by the the beach soccer President of Nigeria and CEO Of Kinetic Sports Mr Samson Adamu over the weekend to Ibeno beach in Mkpanak Ibeno opened a new horizon to realization of the forth-coming tournament in the state.

After a warm welcome of Mr Sampson Adamu at the Akwa Ibom International Airport by the Executive Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area Honorable Henry Ekpe Nko, his Wife and members of the local organizing committee, a quick visit was made to the beach for assessment.

The beach soccer president (Mr. Samson Adamu) noted that Ibeno beach had potentials of being bigger than it is and that the initiative of having the Ibeno beach soccer tournament will help showcase Ibeno beach to Nigeria and the rest of the world. He also added that the tournament will boost Ibeno as a tourist attraction centre in the country.

In his speech, the Ibeno council Boss Honorable Henry Ekpe Nko said that the tournament is packaged to further project the uncommon transformation approach of His Excellency Chief Dr Godswill Akpan through sports to envision a special brand of beach soccer that doubles as an international attraction for selling the rich cultural heritage of the Ibeno and indeed entire Akwa Ibom State.

He also added that this tournament will help to redirect the focus of our youths towards productive ventures, engaging their passion and generating income for them as well as preventing vices that are destructive to the society, economy and organizations operating in the region and also help select and prepare an Ibeno Beach Soccer Team for bigger tournaments within and outside the country. The chairman however called on corporate organizations and individuals to support this tournament.

The team later made a visit to the paramount ruler in Ibeno LGA HRM Owong (Dr) Effiong Bassey Archianga. In his speech the royal father expressed gratitude to the chairman for this initiative and hinted that the sport if well harnessed in the area would help the youths discover talents and foster peace, unity and progress in the area. He also assured a peaceful, serene atmosphere and security during the tournament.

The Ibeno Beach Soccer tournament which will feature 11 home teams and 4 invited (international) teams is an event planned by the Ibeno Local Government Council, Akwa Ibom State to harness the enviable potentials of Beach Soccer to attract media attention and tourists to Ibeno and by extension, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria; giving a boost to the economy of the sub-region, discovering and exposing creative potentials in our indigenes and engaging the youths in a positive venture.