Gentlemen Football Club has won the maiden edition of the Ifiekporo Unity Cup sponsored by Matrix Energy Group in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Gentlemen FC defeated Young Boys Football Club by one goal at an electrifying final held at Ifiekporo community football field on Tuesday.
The football fiesta was organised for soccer teams in the five host communities by Matrix Energy Group, a leading Nigerian indigenous oil company.
After a keenly contested first half that ended goalless, Solomon Anote put Gentlemen FC ahead with a powerful strike at 30 minutes of the second half.
The final, which was attended by leaders of the various host communities of Ifiekporo, Ijala-Ikeren, Ubeji, Egbokodo, and Aja-Etan communities, also had in attendance management staff of Matrix Energy Group.
The football tournament was also to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Matrix Energy Group as well as to celebrate the yuletide season with the people of the host communities.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the competition, Matrix Energy’s Executive Director, Downstream, Mr. Luqman Salam-Alada, described football as a globally unifying game and praised the host communities for their unwavering support of the company.
Represented by the company’s Human Resources official, Mr. Yekini Abayomi, Salam-Alada promised to sustain the Ifiekporo Unity Cup as a catalyst for uniting the people of the area.
He noted that drawing the lessons learnt from the maiden edition, the next edition would be bigger and more attractive to competing teams drawn from the various communities.
“As part of our 20th anniversary, we are very happy to sponsor this football competition, which is aimed at deepening our (Matrix Energy Group) relationship with host communities. Today, we are proud of what we have achieved with this tournament.
“As you all know, Matrix Energy Group is keen on the development of her host communities. This is one of the many supports Matrix is giving to the communities within our operation base. When the idea of this tournament was sold to us, we immediately bought into it.
“We are interested in sustaining the existing peace in this area. You can see the smiles on the faces of the leaders of the five communities. If there’s peace among the host communities, it will cascade to our operation. The Ifiekporo community has been very hospitable to us.
“The two teams that advanced to the finals are not indigenous teams but are resident here. I can assure you that next year will be better than this. We will do more in organising the tournament. We are proud of the outcome,” Salam-Alada noted.
On his part, the public relations officer of Ifiekporo community youth body, Engr. Andy Omagbemi Eyifoma, congratulated Gentlemen FC for winning the maiden edition of the trophy, stressing that the tournament would be sustained to promote peace and unity among communities in Matrix operations lines.
He commended Matrix Energy Group for sponsoring the game and ensuring that there is peace in its areas of operation in the Warri South Local Government Area.
Other leaders of the various host communities, including Amb. Peter Ede and Pa. Francis Eyifoma commended Matrix Energy Group and competing teams for the success of the tournament, stressing that the competition will engender peace and unity among the host communities and oil firms operating in the area.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of trophies, cash gifts, and medals to the competing teams and organisers of the tournament.
