Commissioner of Police, Abia State command, Mustapha Mohammed Bala has commended the police Area commander in Isuikwuato, ACP Ebipamowei Okoyen for hosting a civilian/police football tournament.
The CP in a press conference on Saturday commended the initiative, stating that it will now be an annual event which is in line with the vision of the Force in the spirit of Police/community partnership.
According to the CP, the sporting tournament will go a long way to foster a robust relationship between the police and the communities within the Area Command, assuring that he will make financial impact in the next edition of the competition.
Also speaking, the organizer and the Area Commander of Isuikwuato Police Force, ACP Ebipamowei Okoyen said “Knowing that stakeholders in the area will be present during the Easter and to stop the youths from vices, we decided to engage them with the football competition.
“This was also in the spirit of community/Police partnership, as well as community policing and it paid off”.
According to him, the area Command consists of Isuikwuato, Umunneochi and Bender LGAs and made up of Mbala, Isuochi, Bende, Uzuakoli, Isuikwuato and Uturu Police divisions, adding that each team was made up of civilian and police players, while the Divisional Police Officers, DPO were team Managers.
At the end of the tournament, Mbala team won Uzuakoli by 7-6 through penalty shootout, after the game ended 0-0 at full time.
Isuikwuato came third at the tournament, while the Most Valuable Player and the Highest Goal Scorer received prizes.
In their separate speeches, an excited teacher at Eluama Isuikwuato Secondary School, Mrs. Confidence Onwugharam and the Vice Chairman, home branch of Eluama community, Mr. Christian Onyemaechi Anaedu expressed their joy at the initiative of the Area Commander, describing the competition as a good one, and pleaded that the competition should be made annual event.
