IBESIKPO COUNCIL CHAIRMAN TASKS AKWA IBOM MINI FOOTBALL EXCOS ON GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT

Nigeria Minifootball  Association, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has been tasked to ensure that the laws of the game are made known to people at the grassroots and as well developed the game across the 31 local government areas of the State.

The charge was given by the Executive Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, RT. Hon. Edidiong Inyang during a courtesy visit to him by the Chairman and Executive members of the Akwa Ibom State Minifootball Association in his office on Monday 17th February 2025.

Inyang while praising Minifootball Association in the country and in Akwa Ibom State for finding Mrs Mfon Edet, an indigene of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area fit to lead the State Chapter said Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area will support and partner the Association for the development of the game in all the political wards in the area for the growth of the teaming youths yearning for such opportunities to develope  themselves 

Earlier, the Chairman Mrs. Mfon Edet who was accompanied by her Secretary, Hon. Victor Etim and other members of the Association congratulated the Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan local government area Rt.Hon. Edidiong Inyang on his achievements so far recorded within a short period in office which necessitated the Minifootball Association in Akwa Ibom State to seek for a partnership with him and his office to curb antisocial behaviour amongst the youths in his domain.

Mrs Mfon Edet said as an indigene of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, she deemed it necessary to lead her executive to pay a familiarisation/partnership visit to the Chairman of her local government of origin and as well intimate the Chairman of the evolving of Minifootball where we now have Nigeria Minifootball Association, Africa Minifootball Federation and World Minifootball Federation. 

According to Edet, Nigeria hosted Africa Minifootball cup of Nations in 2021 and three Akwa Ibom sons  including an Ibesikpo Asutan son played for Nigeria seeing the country through to the finals of the competition and two of those players have signed contracts with international clubs where they are playing professional football.

AKSFA PAY TRIBUTES TO LATE COACH EKARIKA AS BURIAL HOLDS THIS SATURDAY

Akwa Ibom State Football Association has condoled with the family of late Akwa Ibom State Football Coaches Association chairman,late Comrade Aniefiok Ekarika who until his demise was a football stakeholder in the state.

The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh who led the board members and officials on a condolence visit to the family recently, eulogised the qualities of the football icon and prayed God for the reposed of the departed and petition heavens to favour the family as they planed for the burial ceremony on 22 of February, 2025 in his country home.

While reminiscing on the contributions of late comrade Aniefiok Ekarika in football development in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, the Akwa Ibom State Football Association boss said the football community in Akwa Ibom State shares in the grieve of the family as the vacuum left by the departed comrade will be hard to fill.

Umoh, appealed to the family to take solace in the impact made by the departed football stakeholder by keeping the memories of the departed alive with programmes that will aid the development of football in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

Meanwhile the family of late comrade Aniefiok Ekarika have continued to receive Associations and groups like Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Great football family, Uyo All stars amongst others who are identifying with them in their moment of grief.

SEN AKPABIO DISTRICT KICKS OFF AKWA IBOM PIO ACADEMY PRIMARY SCHOOLS TALENT HUNT TODAY

The maiden edition of the Akwa Ibom State Football talent hunts sponsored by PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY has entered it final stage with the senate president senatorial district, IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT kick starting the process today, Tuesday 11 February by 9 Am at the IKOT EKPENE city stadium.

The exercise which began in uyo Federal Constituency on 27th January 2025 and has  gone round the other 9 federal constituencies now see the selected players competing at the senatorial districts levels for a super pick will continue tomorrow, Wednesday 12th, February 2025 with Eket senatorial district taking their turn at the,Eket Stadium Training pitch by 9Am while Thursday,13th, February 2025 will be Uyo senatorial district at the OBA recreation center, IFA Atai.

It could be recalled that, during press conference,the coordinator of the programme, Hon. John Ekpenyong said the purpose of the programme is to avail the downtrodden the opportunity of meaningful life through football with education via PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY.

At the end of the exercise, fifty talented brilliant less privileged pupils will be selected and given scholarship at PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY to further their academics while playing football to professional level.

Why AKWA IBOM STATE FA MOTIVATES AKWA UNITED

The leadership of Akwa Ibom State Football Association on Sunday gave players of Akwa United One Hundred Thousand Naira (N=100,000.00) as a token of encouragement after the team's 2-1 win over Enyimba FC on matchday 23 of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The state FA Chairman Mr. Samuel Umoh who made the donation on behalf of the association revealed that the gesture was to appreciate and motivate the team for more victories in the remaining matches of the season. 

According to Mr Umoh, "we in the Football Association are proud of your victory in today's game, and it's a thing of joy and happiness for us and all those fans who came out to watch the match. Our duty in the Football Association is to provide an enabling environment for the beautiful game to be played here in the state and we are here to assure you that we are solidly behind this team and will continue to support you to succeed this season and beyond.

"The team played good football today and we know that all the fans that came out to watch enjoyed the display and especially your performance. Today's victory is encouraging and we know you will record many wonderful victories in the remaining matches of the season. 

"We don't have much to support this team. We are aware that this team needs encouragement, support and motivation that is why we are presenting this token; the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira as part of our support and encouragement to the team. Keep up the good works and we can assure that this team will end the season on a high".

Receiving the donation on behalf of the team, captain Jean Efala expressed appreciation to the Football Association for their support and promised that the team will not disappoint the football loving people of the state and all its fans around the world but they will play to bring more laurels to the state. 

Akwa United's victory over Enyimba on Sunday was their first win in four league matches and their first in 2025. The Promise Keepers will next take on Sunshine Stars on Saturday in Ikenne.

WHY AFRICAN BEACH SOCCER STAKEHOLDERS WILL BE CONVERGING IN AKWA IBOM STATE FROM 12-16 FEBRUARY 2025

All is now set for the 2025 Akwa Ibom State beach soccer league with more than Ten teams ready to battle for the converted trophy.

The tournament is slated to kick off at the natural beach at IBENO local government area from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th February 2025.

In a release signed by the Akwa Ibom State beach soccer Association coordinator, coach Otobong Ekanem and the Secretary, Mr. Akanimo King, the President  African beach soccer Union . the Nigeria Football federation committee chairman on FUTSAL and Beach soccer committee Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, the Akwa Ibom State football Association chairman, Mr. Samuel Umoh as well as sports stakeholders in and outside the state will grace both the opening and closing ceremonies which promise to go into history as one of the  best in Nigeria.

According to them, the league has endorsement from the Nigeria Beach Soccer league Board, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Tourism, football association, the host local government chairman as well as all the political class.

HOW AKWA UNITED NEW SIGNEES TURN UP AGAINST ENYIMBA INTERNATIONAL

Akwa United of Uyo delivered an impressive performance on Matchday 23 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, defeating Enyimba FC 2-1 to secure their sixth win of the season.

Mid-season signings Ogunleye Olayemi and Uche Sabastine scored a goal in each half, while Issah Mohammed netted for Enyimba. 

The result marked Akwa United's first victory in four league matches in 2025, propelling them two places up the table from 20th to 18th position.

Following the match, Akwa United's assistant coach, Akarandut Orok, credited the players' determination and resilience for the win. 

In other NPFL matches on Sunday, Bayelsa United were held to a goalless draw by Rangers, Rivers United triumphed 1-0 over Lobi Stars, and Ikorodu City secured a 2-1 victory against Kwara United.

WHY GOV UMO ENO IS HONOURING 2023 /2024 GOVERNOR'S CUP WINNERS LATE

By Bassey Ibiatisuho 

Ikot Abasi local government area will today, Thursday be rewarded with a prize money of Five Million Naira (N5,000.000.00) for emerging the champions of the 2023/24 Akwa Ibom State Governor's Cup competition.

The champions defeated favorites Uyo local government area 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, while Glorious Felix's goal was enough for Urue Offong Oruko to defeat Essien Udim one nil to clinch the bronze medal of the competition at the Uyo township stadium.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the recognition and reward of the teams by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, will take place during the ARISE Happy Hour and Evening of Rewards, to honor and reward individuals and groups who have excelled in their respective fields. 

Scheduled to hold at the Amphitheater, Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo by 6pm, with highlife king, Flavour as guest artiste, the event is designed to provide top-tier entertainment while showcasing the administration’s unwavering commitment to empowering and rewarding the people of Akwa Ibom for their hard work.

Recall that Governor Umo Eno who was represented at the Governor's Cup final by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi had announced the prize money of 5 Million to the winners, N3 Million to second place team and N2 Million to the third place team.

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.