The Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has pledged his full support for the Senator Ekong Sampson Unity Cup.
The Commissioner pledged on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the tournament paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Uyo.
Elder Paul Bassey commended Senator Ekong Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South in the Senate, for sponsoring a football tournament, noting that it will help in discovering talents in the Senatorial District.
While maintaining that sport is one of the ways to unite the people, Commissioner Paul Bassey expressed optimism that with the tournament, future stars that will represent Akwa Ibom State both at the national and international sporting events would be discovered.
He, however, stated that the tournament has the full support of his ministry and that the Ministry of Sports will do everything possible to ensure the competition succeeds.
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Earlier, in his remarks, the representative of Senator Ekong Sampson, Hon. Aniekpon Ekpo, thanked the Commissioner for the reception accorded to the delegation, adding that the essence of the visit was to officially inform him about the tournament.
Hon. Aniekpon Ekpo, who is a former chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, said the tournament is to bring the people together as well as discover talents.
Hon. Nkereuwem James, another speaker, said the idea of the tournament is to deepen the peace and unity that already exist in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
James, who is the spokesperson for Senator Ekong Sampson Campaign Team 2027, further said that the tournament will provide an opportunity for their team to canvass votes for Governor Umo Eno’s re-election and Senator Ekong Sampson’s second-term bid to come in 2027.
The tournament coordinator, Hon. John Ekponyong, said the competition will begin on Sunday, 20th September, 2026, at the Eket stadium, with Team Ikot Abasi playing the opening match against Team Mkpat Enin.
Ekpeyong, who is the National President of GRASOF, disclosed that two teams will qualify from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and three from Oron Federal Constituency, while three will qualify from Eket Federal Constituency for the knockout round of the competition.
Those who were part of the visit were the Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Emmanuel Akpan, and the head of technical for the tournament, Coach Udobia Udobia.
