In a pulsating match, Efekpe Football Club edged out Idrisu FC to win the sixth edition of Umar Empowerment Foundation Unity Cup 2024.
Efekpe FC emerged champions on Saturday via a penalty shootout in Abejukolo, headquarter of Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The competition which attracted dignitaries from all works of life was sponsored by the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Yahaya.
Speaking at the event, the highly elated lawmaker thanked his constituents for their support, promising to do more for his people.
The lawmaker, who through his recent motion at the floor of the hallow chamber, facilitated the rehabilitation Abejukolo township road noted that he remains committed to developing the grassroots through sports and youth empowerment.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the good people of Omala Constituency for giving me the opportunity to serve them at the Kogi state House of Assembly. I promise never to let them down. We have discovered raw talents in this competition and we promise to sponsor them to achieve their dreams through football or any other sporting activities.
“The essence of all these football tournament that we are organizing for the youth is to foster unity among all the youths in Omala local government, and to also serve as a tool to bring everybody on board for talent discovery. As we speak here, we have full representative from Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sport development who will discover players that will represent the State team in national competitions.
“I want to specifically thank all members of the Kogi State House of Assembly that are here, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Anyebe, who from the start has been part of this laudable projects,” he said.
Addressing journalists in a separate interview, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Anyebe and the Majority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Suleiman AbdulRazak both commended the sponsor of the tournament for investing in sports to reduce youth restiveness in the State.
“This is a laudable project coming from our brother who is representing his people well at the current 8th Assembly in Kogi State. As you can see, there is a lot of talents in these youths. The youths are being engaged as well as we are being entertained and we are discovering talents. I can assure you Journalists that a lot of this talents will be harnessed and used judiciously.
“Competitions like this should be encouraged across the length and breath of the State so that we can keep our Youths in check as well keep them busy. We should ensure that we disabuse their minds from social vices that will cause mayhem to the State,” Anyebe noted.
On his part, the Assembly Majority Leader said “From my observation, I have seen talents and young people who are inspired by the good work of the lawmaker from Omala State Constituency. I see professionalism and future for our State.
“This initiative will go a long way of lifting the Youth from the street. My advice to the general public including my self is that this is the kind of thing that we need at this particular point in time for our society. We need things that will engage our Youths which will be helpful to us. Kogi State is talented, so we must tap from this talent to save the future of our State.”
Agbenema Football Club came third in the competition.
The winner of the competition went home with a cash sum of N250,000, first runners up N150,000 and second runners up N100,000.
It was gathered that Mohammed Abimaje won best coach of the tournament, Suleiman Wada, highest goal scorer, Celestine Akubo, Most Valuable Player and Junior Maha won the best goal keeper award.
A total of 18 teams across Omala Local Government participated in this year’s tournament.
