The serene and nature-friendly environment of Mkpatak Community in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, came alive with the Football Tournament that among other things, sought to foster unity among the six villages of the community.
The competition, popularly known in the area as “Mkpatak World Cup” sponsored by an indigene of the area, Dr Emmanuel Thomas Abraham, aims at fostering unity among the six autonomous villages of the community which are Ikot Udom, Ikot Osom, Ikot Obiodok, Ikot Otong, Atai Essien and Ikot Uba.
Dr. Abraham, who renovated the Sports ground of Model Migrant Secondary School, Mkpatak, venue of the competition, opposite the proposed Top Faith University expressed commitment to the development of the community.
Abraham, who established the Topfaith Group of Schools in the area about 16 years ago, said community development should be holistic, focusing on all classes of people, but with the youths given robust attention.
This, among others, he said, motivated him to institute the Mkpatak Annual Football Tournament.
According to Dr. Abraham, the objectives of the competition included fostering unity among the constituent villages of Mkpatak Community; improving the spirit of competition among the youth, as engaging them actively would make them to shun vices; as well as serve as an avenue of relaxation as football fans and the general community members throng out to watch and cheer their favourite teams during various matches.
The tournament also served as a talent-hunt process for future football stars, he said.
So far three editions have been successfully run and concluded and the 2018 edition recently ended in a grand finale during which saw Attai Essien Village emerge the overall Champion, while Ikot Osom Village was the first runner up. In an earlier third place match, Ikot Udom Village emerged the second runner up, having beaten Ikot Otong Village. In addition to the trophy and medals, champions smiled home with Cash Prizes of N100, 000 for the best overall team, N75, 000 for the first runner-up and N50, 000 for the second runner up.
Previous champions in the tournament include Ikot Osom (2016) and Ikot Uba (2017).
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2018 edition of the competition, Dr Abraham, while presenting the cash prizes, thanked all the teams for participating in the competition and congratulated the winners.
He promised to continue sponsoring the competition with a view to achieving its objectives, as he advised youth in the community not to engage themselves in social vices but to key into the vision of a development-conscious Mkpatak Community.
He encouraged all teams to imbibe the spirit of competition and develop skills that would see them through from local championship to international fame.
Also speaking during the 2018 closing ceremony, Mr. Udo H. Isobara, a former Accountant-General and retired Permanent Secretary in Akwa Ibom State, also an indigene of Mkpatak Community, congratulated all the teams and the youths of Mkpatak in particular.
He enjoined them to be law abiding and use the opportunity provided by the competition to excel while developing the good spirit of unity, tolerance and patriotism.
The Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Hon. (Elder) Raphael Isobara, also an indigene of Mkpatak Community, thanked Dr. Abraham for instituting and sponsoring the Football Tournament.
He said that the competition has engaged the youths of Mkpatak productively, thus enhancing peace in the area.
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