The most important aspect of our sporting life in the state lies in the game of football. So, like little seeds of Acorn, Ediene Football festival is getting bigger as the tournament for a sustained synergy in sports and youth empowerment charts a stronger course.
The template of spots development in Ediene ward 10 under the dynamic cup donor of Dr. Abasiono Okon has been unprecedented with the extreme successes achieved which have today made the ward the new destination for sports tourism in the state.
The template of development has been holistic in all aspects because of being a novel initiative. The concept has indeed enhanced sports development especially the fact that it has given the youths at the grassroots who hitherto were unable to have access to professional football, the opportunity to excel in their endeavours.
At the football finals yesterday, Osuk Ediene Football Team defeated Akeya United Football Team of Aka Ekpeme Mbat 2-0 in their home with a good display of football artistry, a landslide winning with a fan base of more than twenty thousand spectators and is at the highest echelon in sports development.
For the tournament, it was an evergreen opportunity for the people of Ediene to bond in friendship, as well as a time to watch the frenzy and excitement of these young ones and most importantly, an opportunity to consolidate on the gains of the sports festival which has become a permanent feature on the calendar of Ediene ward 9 (now ward 10).
The story of sports development in Ediene ward 10 has continued to soar with these sustained programme by Dr. Abasiono Okon which has today propelled the ward to being among the echelon of Nigeria’s sporting community.
Dr. Abasiono Okon, in all sporting fora has restated his love for Ediene ward 10 and Ikono to have a brand and a trademark in line with the Arise Agenda of His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno. As it is, he has done same by giving due attention to sports development in Ediene in multiple dimensions.
On team management, the managerial skills of EDIFA have been very valuable. The duo of Elder Aniefiok Okon Akpan (Osaka) as EDIFA Chairman and Obongemem Solomon Nse Ekpo as tournament Chairman have been very pragmatic and resourceful in directing the affairs of the tournament in tandem with football best standard practices. Thus, decision taking has been selfless and prompt devoid of bottlenecks. The management including the rank and file have been very cordial in their working relationship.
God bless Dr. Abasiono Okon for his magnanimity and resourcefulness, making Ediene ward ten the home of football tourism.
©MFON OTTUK (Pen Oracle)
