Participants in the Governor’s Cup Football Tournament have expressed excitement over the success of the competition, so far, just as 12 teams representing 12 local governments in the State emerged from the preliminary stage.

Teams representing Obot Akara, Onna, Ikono, Uyo, Nsit Ubium, Uruan, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Ibiono Ibom, Urue Offong and Ibeno LGAs, now referred to as the Super 12 qualified from the preliminary stage on Monday, October 24, 2023 to move to the next round of the games.

In separate interviews with Kristina Reports at the Uyo Township Stadium, some very excited fans confirmed that the Governor’s Cup has been a huge success, so far, affirming that the goals of the project have not only been met but even surpassed.

One of them, Sema Utiam said “This is the kind of thing we have been waiting for and God will bless Governor Umo Eno for this. The last time we had the Governor’s Cup was eleven years ago and since then no other Governor thought of it”.

“But we are grateful for Governor Umo Eno, this will help the talented footballers to be seen by big clubs instead of just being local champions.”

On his part, Utibeabasi Andikara said, “as you can see, the stadium is full of happy and excited fans. You can feel the joy in the atmosphere”.

“These games have brought us together, the unity and peace achieved by these games are unrivaled. The government should keep bringing up things like these, it makes the citizens happy.”

Kuyikabasi Umana excitedly expressed her happiness, saying “my brothers and I look forward to these matches every evening. We live in Uyo but we usually travel to Ikot Ekpene and Eket to witness the matches played there”.

“Everybody is happy, new talents are being spotted, the traders here are making good sales, it’s a win for everybody. God bless the Governor.”

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno said his administration reinstated the Governor’s Cup, which kicked off on Wednesday, September 18, 2023, as one of the activities to mark the 39th anniversary of the State, to give young rising football stars to showcase their skills.

He further said that the goal is to identify and develop young footballers, give them a platform to showcase their skills and give national and international teams the opportunity to scout for new talents and work with them to ensure that their talents are well harnessed.

“In the past, our youths enthusiastically looked forward to and participated in this competition every year. Through this platform, our local government councils hunted for talents at the grassroots and showcased them for the attention of professional clubs within and outside the state.”

He posited that the games would also strengthen communal ties by bringing people together to these stadiums every evening, stressing that relationships will be developed within and across the local governments, noting that “this will be a good foundation for peace and bliss to be maintained in the state”.

With about 130 matches played across Eket, Ikot Ekpene and Uyo township stadiums over a month later after kick off, Kristina Reports can report that from interactions with spectators, players and match officials the objectives of the Governor for the games were being actualized.