HOS Cup: Ministry Of Agriculture, Three Others Open With Victories …Organisers Rescheduled Today’s Matches

The 2011 edition of the Rivers State Civil Service Football Competition, also known as the Rivers State Head of Service, HOS Cup on Monday kicked off on a successful note inside the main bowl of Sharks FC’s Stadium, Port Harcourt.

After a brief opening ceremony marked by the ceremonial kick-off routine by the HOS, Mrs Esther Anucha, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pension Bureau, Mr Gift Ake, the Ministries of Agriculture and Transport took to the pitch for the opening match.

It turned out to be a victorious day for the Agriculture Ministry, which was thought to be the underdogs as soon as hostilities commenced.

Owing to a catalogue of missed opportunities, largely to selfish play by the Ministry of Transport team, their opponents took a surprising lead in the first half, only to surrender the lead via a penalty goal in the dying moments of the match.

But they were able to ensure victory  in the ensuring penalty shoot-out converting all their kicks to their opponents’ three.

In the second match of the day, Ministry of Culture and Tourism  gained a walk-over victory over their Women Affairs counterparts, who failed to turn up for their tie.

Day two of the competition yesterday, saw the  Ministry of Power going goal-wire as they pummeled their Budget and Planning counterparts with six unreplied goals in the first game of the day.

Moments later, Ministry of Justice also over came their Housing counterparts 5-4 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Their match had ended scoreless but it took eight penalty kicks by each side for the tie to be decided.

Meanwhile, organisers of the competition have rescheduled today’s matches for Friday. According to the secretary of the sport sub-committee, Mr Owhonda, four matches will now be played on Friday beginning with today’s fixtures at 3pm.

Representative of Head of Service, Esther Anucha, Permanent Secretary of Establishment, Training & Pension, Mr Gift Ake kicking off the 2011 Rivers Head of Service Cup competition at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.