Etinan Institute, Community Secondary School Crowned Troost-Ekong Foundation Champions
Etinan Institute and Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, were crowned champions of the Troost-Ekong Foundation Secondary Schools Football Tournament after winning the boys’ and girls’ finals respectively in Uyo on Tuesday.
The colourful grand finale, which coincided with the 33rd birthday of former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, brought together schools, football officials, government representatives, parents, supporters and other stakeholders.
In the girls’ final, Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, produced an impressive performance to defeat Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Ishiet, 5-0.
The victory saw Aka Offot successfully defend the title they won in 2025, making it back-to-back triumphs in the competition organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association in partnership with the Troost-Ekong Foundation.
In the boys’ final, Etinan Institute secured the title with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Brian Model College.
The champions received trophies, medals and cash prizes, while the runners-up were presented with medals and cash prizes.
Individual awards were also presented in each category, with prizes going to the best player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer.
All four finalists received sports equipment from the Troost-Ekong Foundation. The gesture has also been extended to all the schools that took part in the tournament as part of the Foundation’s support for grassroots football development.
The closing ceremony was well attended, with the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, serving as Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking at the event, Bassey said the tournament had the full support and best wishes of the Akwa Ibom State Government.
He said Governor Umo Eno has a special relationship with Troost-Ekong and praised the former Super Eagles captain for his achievements in football and his efforts to give back through the Foundation.
“The government and people of Akwa Ibom State remain proud of William Troost-Ekong’s achievements on the football stage,” Bassey said, while commending his work with the Foundation.
He added that the government hopes one of the young players taking part in the tournament will go on to become a football star in the years ahead.
Permanent Secretary of the State Secondary Education Board, Akparawa Okon Effiong Tom, described the tournament as one of the best forms of investment in young people because it provides a platform for the next generation.
He expressed the board’s commitment to continue working with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association and the Troost-Ekong Foundation to make the competition bigger and better.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ministry of Sports, Troost-Ekong Foundation, State Secondary Education Board, members of his board and everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament.
Umoh reaffirmed his board’s commitment to sustaining initiatives aimed at discovering and developing young football talents across the state.
The FA chairman later led the gathering in a birthday song for Troost-Ekong, who turned 33 on Tuesday.
Coordinator of the Troost-Ekong Foundation, Mr Bernard Ekong, thanked the Commissioner for Sports and other dignitaries for attending the finals.
He praised the partnership between the Foundation and the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, saying it would continue, while thanking all the participating schools for taking part in the competition.
Ekong also assured that the Foundation would continue to support the growth of football and provide opportunities for young players.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of Akwa United FC, Mr Joseph Eno; National President of GRASOF, Comrade John Ekpeyong; Director of Sports, State Secondary Education Board, Pastor Emmanuel Ebong; Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Elder Joseph Bassey; Chairman of the Football Coaches Association, Coach Udobia Udobia; principals of secondary schools across the state; members of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association board, sports stakeholders and football fans.
The successful finale brought the latest edition of the tournament to a close, with the organisers again highlighting the importance of giving young footballers the chance to develop their talents and dream of bigger opportunities.
