Ekpeneyi Stars win Usoro Akpanusoh victory cup *as AKHA member, wife bag awards

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

Ekpeneyi Stars has emerged the winner of the maiden edition of Usoro Akpanusoh victory competition cup after defeating Idung-Awai United 3-2. Ekpeneyi Stars won on a penalty shoot-out after the both sides played a goalless draw in a full 90 minutes of play. 

 
The competition which took place last Sunday, was the grand finale to celebrate Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh’s victory at the poll, the member representing Esit Eket/Ubeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and was organized Kingdom Light Foundations.   

Spectators at the Holy Cross Lutheran Primary School, Uquo venue of the event, witnessed plenty of thrilling moments as both sides exhibited skills and dexterity. Idung-Awai United missed chances to take the lead in the opening minutes of the thrilling encounter. they almost claimed the lead just over 15 minutes before the half-time break when their striker was presented with a chance at close range, but Ekpeneyi goalkeeper made a superb save to keep his side on level terms. Idung-Awai had themselves to blame as Ekpeneyi Stars defenders did everything to stop them from penetrating 18-yard box. The game which preceded to the final minute lived up to its status as the two sides battled to a goalless draw.  

Speaking shortly after performing kick-off, the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh said the fact that his constituents have chosen sports in celebrating his victory has made him understand that he will not in any way leave sports unattended throughout his tenure. He noted that the competition has shown the desire of the youths to explore football sector for the betterment of the constituency, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

“On my honour as your legislator, I will encourage you all to get to the height of football. Like we did promised earlier, any son or daughter of Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency that is blessed with the talent of sports and any other endeavour will be propelled to excel to the highest level.”

While encouraging the youths to keep it up, Akpanusoh maintained that for the outstanding talents, he will raised scholarship for them as well as coaches of the state owned teams like Akwa United, Akwa Starlets and other clubs for the people of the constituency to also play in them.

He challenged his female constituents to also identify what they can do, adding that anything good for them will get his backing even as he said while the male folks are up in sports of football, female should also identify a sport and be engaged in.

The lawmaker used the opportunity to implore his constituency to join hands with Governor Udom Emmanuel administration so that together Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency would be transform to the best standard in particular and Akwa Ibom State in general.

In his address, the coordinator of the competition, Pastor King Udoh  said that it was pertinent to note that the success at the April 11, 2015 poll was not only Usoro Akpanusoh’s success but their collective success and victory as a people hence the need for the auspicious celebration within the sporting arenas and the teaming fans. He said Akpanusoh’s victory has been celebrated in diverse ways; therefore it was their place in sport to also say a big thank you to God Almighty who has graciously given them the victory in spite of all odds.

The coordinator further noted that the aim and objective of the competition to include: celebrating God’s given victory together as a people, encouraging Usoro Akpanusoh and to tell him “we love, we respect you, and we are proud of you”, to hunt and fetch out talents in Uquo youths in terms of sports, to promote the culture of sportsmanship within the shores of Uquo, to enhance unity and brotherliness amongst the youths of Uquo and to establish a platform for organizational relationship.

While the vision and mission of the competition according to him was seek for support for further editions of the competition as they are determined to make it a yearly tournament, adding that the event will enlarge beyond Uquo territory to Esit Eket as a whole and Ibeno as a constituency competition.
Pastor Udoh who is CEO Kingdom Light Foundation, appealed for support for the actualization of the dreams and visions for sports through establishment of a sports club (Kingdom Angels Football Club) and the procurement of the necessary sporting equipment and facilities.

Also speaking, the guest of honour, Pastor Victor Bassey commended the organizers of the competition, Kingdom Light Foundations for putting up the football tournament, saying that the competition has help discovered some talented youths in football in the area. Pastor Bassey who is a former chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, changed the organizers to ensure the competition is a yearly event. The man of God used the opportunity to congratulate Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh on his victory at the polls even as he called on the people to join hands to support the lawmaker to succeed in office.  High point of the event was the conferred of an award on Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh as an Icon of Youths Development and positives Initiatives for his contributions to youth developments in Esit Eket LGA and beyond by Kingdom Light Foundations. While the wife of the AKHA member, Mrs. Ini Usoro Akpanusoh was honored with an award of Eka Nti Mkpo 1 of Uquo (the mother of good things). Presentation of trophy and cash prize to the winning team also took place, while the first runner-up, Idung-Awai United and third place team, Ebighi-Awang went home with cash prizes.