Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has hailed the organizers of the annual Ukana Unity Football Tournament for sustaining its high standard.
Nkono, who was a Special Guest at the opening match of the 2024 edition of the competition, at Independent High School, Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area, said the tournament stands tall in the comity of grassroots football competitions in Nigeria.
According to him, the tournament, which has existed for decades, always showcases high standard of play and officiating, the spirit of unity and discovery of fresh talents.
He saluted the Grand Patron of the tournament, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, organizers led by Envoy Nsentip Akpabio, sponsors, members of the Local Organizing Committee, participating teams, and football enthusiasts for always making the tournaments a joyous, successful, and competitive one.
An appeal was made to the organizers to consider including other sporting events.
“It should not only be football; they should look for a way to expand it to accommodate other sporting activities so that people who are not very good at football can also compete and win laurels for themselves,” he suggested, even as he donated generously to the football tournament.
The opening match between Ukana Ikot Ntuen and Ukana Akpautong was a fiercely contested one, ending in a 0:0 stalemate.