The city of Ikot Ekpene came alive on Sunday as the eagerly awaited 2021 Niger Delta Peace cup finally kicked off at the expansive Ikot Ekpene Stadium.
The tournament which is organised by the leading name in grassroots development and management in Nigeria, Grassroot Sports Federation of Nigeria, (GRASOF) and supported by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is aimed at not only cementing the bond of unity and understanding in the Niger Delta region but also promoting a platform for the discovery and harnessing of football talents in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the tournament coordinator, Hon John Ekpenyong disclosed that the development of football majorly in the South-South and generally in Nigeria is their primary objective.
” Our target is to ensure up and coming footballers achieve their maximum heights. Football is a rewarding route that could liberate the players from the shackles of poverty and it is our responsibility to provide such a platform for their development here in the South-South and Nigeria as a whole”, the honourable said.
The one-week-long tournament will feature club sides from the different states of the Niger Delta; Abia, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, and Ondo states.
The opening ceremony was held on Sunday and the tournament will run till 19th December 2021.
In the opening game played on Sunday at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, ALGON FC of Akwa Ibom was held to a goalless draw by Ondo’s Ekimogun FC with some dignitaries which included the Sole Administrator of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor (Barr) Effiong Akwa, and the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Ministry Niger Delta Affairs, Sir Etekamba Umoren. The latter performed the ceremonial kick-off on behalf of the Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The event took place at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium.
A host of other dignitaries amongst who were government officials, ex-internationals, supporters club chairmen, and other eminent personalities graced the occasion.
