Akwa Ibom U-15 Clinch Bronze at CDS Tournament as Sports Commissioner Applauds Team
The Akwa Ibom State U-15 football team emerged third-place winners at the 2025 Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Boys U-15 Football Tournament after defeating the Akwa Ibom U-15 Military Team via penalties in Port Harcourt.
Both Akwa Ibom teams met in the third-place playoff after suffering defeats in their respective semi-final matches on Friday.
The state U-15 team, coached by Mr. Emmanuel Ntuk, played out a goalless draw against the Akwa Ibom U-15 Military Team at the end of regulation time before securing the bronze medal with a 4–1 victory in the penalty shootout.
The 2025 CDS U-15 Football Tournament featured teams from the six South-South states and two South-East states. Akwa Ibom State finished third overall, while the Akwa Ibom U-15 Military Team placed fourth.
Players and officials of the Akwa Ibom State U-15 team were decorated with medals and presented with a cash prize of ₦2 million alongside a gold-plated trophy.
In the final played on Saturday at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, Imo State U-15 team emerged champions after defeating Edo State U-15 team 2–1. Champions Imo State received a cash prize of Five Million Naira, (₦5 m) medals and a trophy while the beaten finalist Edo received medals, trophy and a cash prize of Three Million Naira (₦3m).
Reacting to the performance of the teams, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, congratulated the state’s representatives for finishing third and fourth respectively at the tournament, which featured sixteen teams.
The Sports Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his sustained interest and investment in sports development, noting that Akwa Ibom State is steadily changing the narrative in youth development through sports. He assured that the Ministry of Sports would continue to provide athletes with opportunities to showcase their talents at regional, national, and international levels.
The Sports Commissioner also extended appreciation to the leadership of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army Uyo led by Brigadier General N. E. Okoloagu, for their synergy and cooperation with the Ministry of Sports in assembling the two teams for participation in the tournament. Elder Bassey also commended Colonel J. k. Adisa for his effort in coordinating the teams during the competition.
“Let me sincerely congratulate our State and Military U-15 boys’ teams for their exploits at the Chief of Defence Staff Football Tournament in Port Harcourt. It is not a mean feat for our teams to finish third and fourth respectively in a competition that had 16 teams. Although it is disappointing that none of our teams made it to the final, we are consoled by the fact that the state team finished on the podium.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for his interest, investments, and support for the Ministry of Sports. Sports development is a key component of the ARISE Agenda of this administration, and we will continue to source life-changing opportunities for our youth through sporting events. It is evident that our state is witnessing a sports revolution, and we thank His Excellency for believing in us to drive his vision for sports development”.
