3rd Senate President Cup Kicks Off Today in Ikot Ekpene
The 3rd edition of the Senate President Cup will kick off today, Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, with over 500 young football talents expected to take part.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, will be represented at the opening ceremony by Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development.
In a statement, the Tournament Coordinator and National President of the Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria, John Ekpenyong, said this year’s edition would be bigger, more competitive and more rewarding.
He added that National Under-17 team coaches and international scouts would be present to identify promising young players who could become future stars of Nigerian football.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Ekpenyong described the competition as part of Senator Akpabio’s legacy of using football to unite Nigerians and empower young people.
He said Akpabio had supported grassroots sports for over 15 years, from his time as Governor of Akwa Ibom State to his days as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, when he sponsored the Niger Delta Peace Cup, and now as President of the Senate.
Ekpenyong expressed appreciation to Akpabio for appointing Senator Ningi to represent him despite his busy national schedule, describing the move as a sign of his commitment to grassroots sports development.
He also confirmed that Prince Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, would attend the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Barrister Seyi Tinubu is expected to receive the Best Grassroots Sports Personality award at the grand finale scheduled for November 1, 2026.
The Senate President Cup is aimed at promoting grassroots football, discovering young talents and providing opportunities for aspiring footballers to advance their careers.
