Former Super Eagles play

ers, Henry Nwosu, Victor Ukpoba and Mutiu Adepoju have hailed the annual Gokana Unity Cup competition, a football competition among communities in Gokana Local Government Area, Rives State, as a good model for grassroots development.

Speaking at the grand finale of the 2012 edition of the competition in Bera town early in the week, Nwosu, who with Ikpeba, Adepoju and Jossy Dombraye were the stars of yester-years that graced the occasion commended the organisers of the competition for their vision and commitment.

He said that it is competitions like the Gokana Unity Cup that breed young talents that feed professional club sides and the national youth teams.

Nwosu promised to put words in the right quarters for promising players of the competition.

Ukpeba on his part noted that Gokana LGA has been consistent in organising the competition and commended the chairman of the council, Hon Demua Leedum Demua for continuing with the visions of his predecessors and giving opportunities to the youth to explore and express their talents.

The final match of the 2012 edition was between defending champion, Team I. S. Kogbara and Team Justice P. B. Akere, both from Bodo City in the area.

At the end of the match, a new champion emerged as Team Justice P. B. Akere pipped I. S. Kogbara with a first half lone goal.

It was a keenly contested encounter that saw both teams battle hard but  had few opportunities for goals.

Two other matches were also played as part of activities of the day.

The first was a novelty between women of the area that ended goalless while the second pitched the team of Gokana politicians and Gokana All Stars. Despite the presence of Nwosu, Ukpeba, Adepoju and Dombraye in the All Stars Side, the politicians, courtesy of a lone goal scored by the local government chairman, Demua, carried the day.

Meanwhile, the council chairman, Demua was recognised and honoured with merit awards by the League of Character Club, Rivers State and the Rivers State Football Association, RSFA, for his commitment and achievement in sports and football development.

This was further given credence when former chairman and now Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom acknowledged that Hon Demua has recorded more achievements than his own administration.

Among dignitaries at the grand finale was the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, member of National of Assembly, Hon Maurice Pronen, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ogoni, Bishop Gberegbara and others.