As the preliminary round of the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup comes to an end today across the three Senatorial Districts, football fans have commended Governor Umo Eno for reviving the foremost grassroot football competition in the state after eleven years of no action.
The Governor’s Cup is a football competition involving all the 31 local government areas of the state for the purpose of discovering football talents from the local communities for national and international football clubs.
More than 130 matches have so far been played at the Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Township Stadiums with each match not recording less than five hundred football fans in attendance from the early kickoff in the morning to the late kickoff in the evening.
Some of the fans across the centres who spoke with AKSFA Media, said they were delighted to have the popular Governor’s Cup competition back in the state after a long time and thanked Governor Umo Eno for swinging into action immediately in reviving sports in the state.
“This is a welcome development, God will bless Governor Umo Eno for this. This Governor’s Cup like in the past, will help those football talents lying waste in the villages to be seen and hopefully get the attention of professional football clubs” Ndiana Inam said.
Victor Bassey on his part said, “just look at the stadium and the joy, peace and unity this competition has brought, the people are happy and these are the simple things the citizens demand from the government, this is a strong indication that Governor Umo Eno means well for the people. We are happy,” he concluded.
“I want to thank the Governor, the Commissioner for Sports and the organisers, I heard about this competition and decided to come and witness it and the turn out is massive for a grassroot competition. I pray this is sustained yearly so that we can have Akwa Ibomites in all the national teams in this country” Mfon Isaiah stated.
With hundreds of football fans at the stadium daily since kickoff on September 21, traders and food vendors have also recorded increase in sales and patronage as they told AKSFA Media that most times the demand from the fans is more, as their goods are completely sold before the end of the last game for the day.
With the preliminary round to be completed this weekend, more entertaining action for the fans and economic activities for the traders would be expected in the Super 12, and more promising footballers spotted by football agents who are around to hunt for talents.
AKSFA Media
