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.

PRESIDENT FEDERATION CUP KICKS OFF IN UYO TODAY AS GODSWIL AKPABIO UNITED TACKLES REGNANT ACADEMY

The 2025 Akwa Ibom State President Federation Cup kicks off today Tuesday, February 4, 2025 with an exciting first-round clash between Godswill Akpabio United FC and Regnant Football Academy at the Uyo Township Stadium by 3pm., marking the beginning of the competition, which will see two teams qualify as Akwa Ibom State representatives for the National finals.  

Godswill Akpabio United FC, founded in 2024, are making their Federation Cup debut. Despite their recent establishment, they will be confident heading into the game, given their status as a Nigeria National League (NNL) side. With experienced ex-international Patrick Udoh at the helm, they will be aiming for a strong start in their first-ever Federation Cup campaign.  

On the other hand, Regnant Football Academy are featuring in the tournament for the second time. Their first appearance in 2023 ended with a 2-0 first-round defeat to FC ONE Rocket. Coach Hope Michael and his non-league side will be hoping to go one better this time by upsetting their more established opponents.  

This fixture is the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Given the knockout format of the competition, there must be a winner at the end of the match. If the game ends in a draw after regulation time, it will proceed directly to a penalty shootout.  

The victorious team will move on to face the winner of Dakkada FC vs. Heavens Race Academy in the next round.  

It would be recalled that the 2025 Akwa Ibom State President Federation Cup draws features eight participating teams in the male category, and matches will continue onto the grand finale on February 23, 2025 With the top two teams from the competition earning spots in the National Federation Cup, representing Akwa Ibom State.  

With both sides eager to make an impression, the opening match promises an intriguing battle between a new force and an academy looking to prove its potential.

AKWA IBOM STATE SPORTS OFFICERS LAUDS PIO ACADEMY ON TALENT HUNT SPONSORSHIP

Forum of Sports Officers in Akwa Ibom State has appreciated the sponsors of PIO Football ACADEMY for the successful flag off of  the maiden edition of  Grassroots football talent hunt programme in the ten federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom State.

The Chairman of the forum, Comrade Christian Udedeh speaking shortly after pupils from primary schools from the four local government areas that made up Uyo federal constituency showcased their football artistries at the Government primary School, Ifa Atai in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

UDEDEH while expressing optimism that the programme will be successful in the remaining local government areas of Akwa Ibom state, thanked the Coordinator of the programme, Hon. John Ekpenyong and the team for ensuring that football returns to the grassroots for better productivity and services for mankind.

On his part, the Programme Coordinator, who is also the National President of Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria, Hon. John Ekpenyong, thanked Sports Officers from all the primary schools in Uyo federal constituency for cooperating with him and the sponsors of the programme, PIO ACADEMY, to discover future football stars for Nigeria. 

Ekpenyong who is upbeat of a successful outing in the remaining nine federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom State hinted that everything is in place to select only the best legs for PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY, with a special attention to the less privileged pupils as directed by the Sponsors of the maiden edition of PIO Football ACADEMY. 

In their separate reactions, some of the pupils applauded the initiators and sponsors of the grassroots football talent hunt in Akwa Ibom State and appealed for more of such programmes which they said will offer them opportunities to showcase their football talents even as they believe they will make the final list of the expected fifty pupils to get scholarship to further their education while developing their skills in football.

The maiden PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY Grassroots football talent hunts for primary schools in Akwa Ibom State programme will continue on Monday 3rd February 2025 with primary schools  in Ikono and Ini Federal constituency.

Meanwhile, the management of a foremost Football Academy in the State,KMK Academy has promised to reward handsomely, any Federal constituency with the highest number of teams on display.

PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY TALENT HUNT RECORD SUCCESS IN ETINAN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, ITU/IBIONO IBOM EXERCISE HOLDS TODAY

More talented football players at the primary school level between the ages of ten(10) and twelve(12) years yesterday 29 JANUARY 2025 trooped into the playing turf of Qua Iboe Church Government Primary School Ishiet in Etinan local government area to exhibit their football skills at the day two(2) of the ongoing PIO FOOTBALL ACADEMY Grassroots football talent hunt Programme for primary schools in Akwa Ibom State.

The school was the centre for Etinan,Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency, where pupils from over one hundred primary schools in the Federal Constituency displayed their football artistries with the aim of being selected for a scholarship where they will further their academics while playing football to the professional level.

Speaking shortly after the completion of sixteen (16) matches at the center today, the coordinator of the programme,Hon. John Ekpenyong stated that the PIO ACADEMY Grassroots football talent hunt  for the 31 local government areas of the state which is held in all the ten federal constituencies in the State,is gathering momentum with the large turn out of parents who are encouraging their wards by accompanying them to the designated centers and supporting the pupils on and off the pitch of play.

Ekpenyong praised the sponsors of the programme and maintained that it is an investment that will not only help to take children off the streets but will also enhance a sustainable means of livelihood for the families of the prospective fifty(50) talented but less privileged pupils who will be the pioneer students of PIO ACADEMY on scholarship.

" I am happy that the programme is gathering momentum each day with the large turn out today in this federal constituency; While we are waiting for our technical department to give us the selected players, I am sure there are a lot of talented players out  there,that are ready and willing to be nurtured for future productivity in football",he added.

With the successful outing of today, at Etinan Federal Constituency, the Programme's touch is now handed over to Itu / Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, for the continuation of the talent hunt exercise,tomorrow 30th January 2025 at the  QIC group school, Nung Ikot Itam in Itu local government area.

See the remaining schedule for the competition below.

DAY 3 (30/1/25)

ITU FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - QIC GROUP SCHOOL,NUNG UKOT ITAM

TIME - FROM 10 AM 

DAY 4 (31/1/25)

IKOT EKPENE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE : GOVERNMENT SCHOOL,UKANA UWA EAST, ESSIEN UDIM LGA(AFTER INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL, UKANA.

TIME : FROM 10 AM

DAY 5 (3/2/25)

IKONO FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - METHODIST SCHOOL,NUNG UKIM.

TIME - FROM 10 AM 

DAY 6 (4/2/25)

ABAK FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - APS SCHOOL,UTU ABAK.

TIME - FROM 10 AM 

DAY 7 (6/2/25)

UKANAFUN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, NSEHE.

TIME - FROM 10 AM 

DAY 8 (7/2/25)

ORON FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - METHODIST PRIMARY SCHOOL, EYO ABASI,ORON LGA.

TIME - FROM 10 AM 

DAY 9 (10/2/25)

EKET FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - QIC PRIMARY SCHOOL,USUNG INYANG,ALONG ORON RD.

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 9 ( 10/2/25)

IKOT ABASI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL,IMAM IKOT ABASI LGA.

TIME - FROM 9 AM

AKWA IBOM STATE KICKS OFF MAIDEN PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL TALENT HUNT TODAY IN UYO

The maiden edition of PIO ACADEMY and Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria (GRASOF) organized  football talent discovery and development programme for primary school pupils in Akwa Ibom State will kick off this morning at the Government Primary School playground, Ifa Atai, Uyo.

In a release signed by the Public Relations Officer, Evang. Theophilus Udo, the programme tagged PIO ACADEMY GRASSROOTS TALENT HUNT PROGRAMME, is for pupils of 10 to 12 years of age and will be held in all the ten federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom state with the aim of selecting fifty(50) less privileged but talented footballers for PIO Football ACADEMY.

While Uyo federal constituency made up of four local government areas of, Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Uruan and Nsit Atai will gather at Government Primary School, IfA Atai,along Airport road, others will take their turn according to the schedule,as the first stage of the programme is slated to run from today 27th January 2025 to 9th February 2025.

The selected pupils will be given scholarship into a state of the art PIO Football Academy in Uyo,to further their academics while continuing with their God given talents in football.

Meanwhile, the programme is open for all football lovers to come watch as we discover and nurture future football stars for our State,Nation and the globe.

See Full schedule of the ten days programme for Akwa Ibom state pupils.

DAY 1 (27/1/25)

UYO FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL,IFA ATAI BIG JUNCTION.

TIME - FROM 11 AM 

DAY 2 (29/1/25)

ETINAN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - QIC PRIMARY SCHOOL,ISHIET ERONG, ETINAN LGA.

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 3 (30/1/25)

ITU FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - QIC IKOT EKPENE ROAD ITU

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 4 (31/1/25)

IKOT EKPENE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE : GOVERNMENT SCHOOL,UKANA UWA EAST, ESSIEN UDIM LGA(AFTER INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL, UKANA.

TIME : FROM 9 AM

DAY 5 (3/2/25)

IKONO FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - METHODIST SCHOOL,NUNG UKIM.IKONO

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 6 (4/2/25)

ABAK FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - ABAK STADIUM 

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 7 (6/2/25)

UKANAFUN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, NSEKHE, UKANAFUN LGA. 

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 8 (7/2/25)

ORON FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE :ORON TOWNSHIP STADIUM ORON LGA.

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 9 (8/2/25)

EKET FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - Eket Stadium 

TIME - FROM 9 AM 

DAY 10 ( 9/2/25)

IKOT ABASI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 

VENUE - QIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, IKOT OBIO NDOHO (ALONG EASTWEST EXPRESS WAY)

TIME - FROM 9 AM

REMO STARS TOPS NPFL TABLE WITH 5 POINTS AFTER BEATING AKWA UNITED 2-1 IN UYO

Remo Stars have extended their lead at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table to five points after securing a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Akwa United in Uyo on Sunday.

The Ikenne-based side came from behind to win the match, with second-half goals from Samuel Anaekwe and midfielder Adadayo Olamilekan.

With the win, the Sky Blue Stars now sit on 39 points from 20 matches, while Rivers United, who lost 2-1 to Plateau United, remain second with 34 points from the same number of games.

In another Sunday encounter, Heartland triumphed 1-0 over Lobi Stars in Owerri.

#NPFL 

FEDERATION CUP DRAWS: AKWA IBOM FA CHAIRMAN HARPS ON FAIRNESS TO COMPETING TEAMS

The Akwa Ibom State Football Association Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh has assured all the teams that have registered for the 2024/2025 Federation President Cup of equal and professional treatment for all the teams.

Samuel Umoh gave the assurances today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo during the draws for the 2024/2025 Akwa Ibom State President Federation Cup.

Reiterating the Association's commitment to hosting a competitive and transparent tournament, the Chairman called on football lovers to come out en-mass to and support their various teams 

"The Akwa Ibom State Football Association is committed to hosting a thrilling competition this year "a tournament that will have all the surprises and thrills of the FA Cup. On behalf of the FA, I promise that the FA will be fair and firm throughout the competition. We aim to restore trust and bring back the fans with the excitement this competition deserves."  

On their part, The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Elder Joseph Bassey, and the State Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Comrade Emmanuel Akpan praised the Football Association for its initiatives, pledging the referees' support for the competition as well as adequate publicity throughout the tournament. 

The tournament will be played in a knockout format.

In the male category, the first round begins with the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals, and concludes with the final on February 23, 2025.

The female category will feature a single final match between Ibom Angels FC and Jacklyn Angels FC, scheduled for 2pm on February 23, 2025.  

According to the draws, Godswill Akpabio United FC will play Regnant Football Academy  on 3rd February 2025 by 3 pm, 7th Wonders FA vs Eagle Eye FA  on 4th February 3pm, Heaven's Race Academy will square up against Dakkada FC on 5th February 2025 by 3pm

Match day 4 will see the defending champions, Akwa United FC play Pillars Investors football academy on 6th February 2025 by 3pm.The Akwa Ibom State Football Association Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh has assured all the teams that have registered for the 2024/2025 Federation President Cup of equal and professional treatment for all the teams.

Samuel Umoh gave the assurances today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo during the draws for the 2024/2025 Akwa Ibom State President Federation Cup.

Reiterating the Association's commitment to hosting a competitive and transparent tournament, the Chairman called on football lovers to come out en-mass to and support their various teams 

"The Akwa Ibom State Football Association is committed to hosting a thrilling competition this year "a tournament that will have all the surprises and thrills of the FA Cup. On behalf of the FA, I promise that the FA will be fair and firm throughout the competition. We aim to restore trust and bring back the fans with the excitement this competition deserves."  

On their part, The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Elder Joseph Bassey, and the State Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Comrade Emmanuel Akpan praised the Football Association for its initiatives, pledging the referees' support for the competition as well as adequate publicity throughout the tournament. 

The tournament will be played in a knockout format.

In the male category, the first round begins with the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals, and concludes with the final on February 23, 2025.

The female category will feature a single final match between Ibom Angels FC and Jacklyn Angels FC, scheduled for 2pm on February 23, 2025.  

According to the draws, Godswill Akpabio United FC will play Regnant Football Academy  on 3rd February 2025 by 3 pm, 7th Wonders FA vs Eagle Eye FA  on 4th February 3pm, Heaven's Race Academy will square up against Dakkada FC on 5th February 2025 by 3pm

Match day 4 will see the defending champions, Akwa United FC play Pillars Investors football academy on 6th February 2025 by 3pm.