The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, is expected to grace the grand finale of the Troost Ekong Foundation Football Tournament for secondary schools scheduled to take place on September 1.

The commissioner’s participation is expected to add further prominence to the grassroots football initiative, which is designed to provide young footballers across Akwa Ibom State with a platform to showcase their talents and pursue opportunities in the sport. Blueprint reports

Bassey received an exclusive invitation to the tournament’s grand finale during a visit to his office on Monday, August 17, by Mr Bernard Ekong, a member of the competition’s Board of Trustees.

The invitation is part of the organisers’ preparations for what is expected to be the climax of the school football competition, which has brought together secondary schools from different parts of the state.

Troost Ekong’s grassroots initiative

The tournament is being organised by the Troost Ekong Foundation in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA).

The initiative forms part of Super Eagles defender William Troost Ekong’s efforts to give back to society through sports development, particularly by creating opportunities for young footballers at the grassroots level.

Troost Ekong, who has captained the Nigerian national team, has established himself as one of the country’s prominent football figures and has continued to support initiatives aimed at developing young talents.

The school tournament is targeted at identifying promising footballers at an early stage and providing them with an avenue to develop their abilities.

Participating secondary schools have been selected from across Akwa Ibom State, with the competition featuring both male and female categories.

This approach is expected to give young boys and girls interested in football an opportunity to compete, gain experience and attract the attention of coaches and football development officials.

Focus on talent discovery

A major objective of the tournament is to take football development beyond established clubs and academies by creating a structured platform within the school system.

The organisers believe that secondary schools remain an important avenue for identifying young footballers who may otherwise struggle to access professional football opportunities.

Through competitive matches, the foundation hopes to identify talented players who can subsequently be encouraged and developed through appropriate football programmes.

The involvement of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association also provides an important institutional link between the tournament and the state’s football development structure.

The partnership is expected to strengthen the organisation of the competition while ensuring that the young players are exposed to a standard that can contribute to their long-term development.

FA hails Troost Ekong Foundation

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, has commended the Troost Ekong Foundation for its decision to invest in grassroots football development in the state.

Umoh also confirmed that the necessary kits for the competition have been delivered, as preparations for the grand finale gather momentum.

The delivery of the kits represents another step towards ensuring that the participating schools are adequately prepared for the concluding stage of the tournament.

The FA chairman’s commendation also highlights the importance of collaboration between football stakeholders, government institutions and private initiatives in building a sustainable grassroots football system.

Building the next generation

The tournament comes at a time when there is increasing emphasis on developing football talents from the grassroots rather than relying solely on established professional clubs and academies.

For Akwa Ibom, the competition provides an opportunity to bring school football to greater prominence while encouraging young people to participate actively in sports.

The inclusion of the female category is also significant, as it creates an avenue for young female footballers to develop their skills and gain competitive experience alongside their male counterparts.

The September 1 grand finale is therefore expected to bring together participating schools, football administrators, government officials, coaches, parents and other stakeholders in celebration of the young talents discovered through the initiative.

With the Sports Commissioner expected to attend and the state football association actively supporting the tournament, the organisers are hoping to end the competition on a strong note while reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to youth development.

For Troost Ekong, the initiative represents an opportunity to extend his contribution to Nigerian football beyond his exploits on the pitch by investing in the next generation of players who could eventually represent Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at the highest level.