“…we’re bringing in scouts to pick players” – LOC

By Frank Ulom

CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – A group known as Standard Ambassadors has put together a football tournament which starts from 13 December, to honour Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

According to Hon. Effiom Effiwatt, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), the group consists of friends, associates and staff under the influence of Senator Ekpenyong. In a way to honour the Senator, they decided to put up a football tournament to unite the youths in the District as well as canvass for support for his reelection and that of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu come 2027.

Standard Ambassadors kickstart football tournament to honour Senator Ekpenyong — Hon. Effiom Effiwatt (Middle)

He added, “We’re spending resources to bring in scouts during the semi-finals and final, to pick players. The competition is for coexistence and unity among our youths.”

Dubbed “The Standard Unity Football Tournament,” the tournament will feature seven teams from the seven local government areas that make up the Senatorial District, plus one additional team referred to as the “7-Alive Team,” according to Effiwatt.

“We’ll have seven teams, each from Biase, Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi, plus one Team known as 7-Alive, making it a round number due to football rules which allow for only even numbers. The 7-Alive team consists of players from the seven LGAs that make up the Southern Senatorial District,” Effiwatt said during the draw, which was held at the Channel View Hotel in Calabar, on Tuesday.

The LOC Chairman further disclosed that there are going to be two play-offs before the competition proper. “The play-off is going to be between Akamkpa I & II and Calabar South I & II, since the two LGAs have two constituencies,” he stated.

He also noted that they are working with the Cross River State Football Association (CRSFA) as well as security and medical personnel to ensure a seamless tournament.

“We are working with the Cross River FA and the referee association, security and medical personnel and other stakeholders at the local government level, including the chairmen of council of State House of Assembly members. This is to curb any contempt, violence or alleged bias,” he noted.

“It is the first edition, and we’re starting with the men’s tournament; the women’s tournament will come after. We’re making preparations. The competition will run for 10 days, starting from 13 December.”

Effiwatt said the tournament is a knockout phase tournament and prizes would be given in different categories.

“There will be a trophy to be won with a cash prize, which will be announced later. Other prizes include; best behaved team, most valuable player (MVP), best goalkeeper, top goalscorer, among others. The winner of the tournament will go home with a trophy which includes cash.

“There will be compensation for the participating team. We will kit all the teams, we will be responsible for all logistics, including transportation to and fro match venues, accommodations, and we will be strict with registration,” he maintained.

Speaking shortly before the draws, Mr Talabi Oke, Secretary of the Cross River State Football Association, said all football laws will be applied for this year’s tournament.

He said all the team leaders would be briefed to avoid hooliganism. “Hooliganism is true in football, but sometimes, the tension is created by the bench, team officials.

“For this year’s competition, we’re going to apply all the laws. There are 17 written laws and one unwritten, which is ‘common sense.’ We’ll allow all players this year, but subsequently, we won’t allow elite (league) players.

“We’ll use graded referees officiating in the Nigerian league,” Oke stated.