By Vine Media
The residents of Asari Eso Layout in Calabar, Cross River State have been treated to a thrilling two-week football fiesta which ended on Sunday, December 17, 2023.
The second edition of the annual Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba sponsored Asari Eso neighborhood football tournament ended with the finals played between Team Nigeria and Team Brazil which was won by Team Brazil by a lone goal at the Ndoma-Egba Arena inside the neighborhood.
The tournament is a 4-a-side competition which started in 2022. It was conceived by the youths of the area and presented to Senator Ndoma-Egba for consideration and sponsorship who promptly adopted it as one of his community reach-out initiatives. The 2023 edition featured 12 teams which were grouped into four groups and the group games began on November 26, 2023.
The winners of the 2023 tournament went home with the trophy and cash prize of N150, 000 while the first runner-up got a cash prize of N100, 000. The second runner-up took home N50, 000. There were also cash gifts to the referees as well as all the participating teams.
In his remarks during the closing ceremony, Senator Ndoma-Egba expressed his satisfaction with the organization of the tournament and urged the Local Organizing Committee to note all the lapses to be improved upon by next year.
He reiterated his continuous support and sponsorship of the tournament and charged the organizers and participants to justify the purpose of the tournament by continuing to preach and uphold the peace, orderliness and security of the neighborhood.
A member of the LOC, Sylvester Aneb expressed the joy and deep appreciation of the youths and residents of Asari Eso towards Senator Ndoma-Egba for all he has been doing for the good of the community.
Aneb cited the provision of potable water, support for community sanitation and waste evacuation as well as his sponsorship of the football tournament as some of the gestures of the Senator Ndoma-Egba to the community where he resides.
He assured that the Senator will continue to enjoy the support and goodwill of the people of the neighborhood and committed the LOC to a better improved tournament in 2024.
The finals were watched by some dignitaries living in the area and a record crowd of both residents and passersby.
