Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, TEPNG/NNPCL Joint Venture’s 20th edition of the annual football competition for the youths of the OML58 host producing communities in Rivers State ended yesterday with Elele Okinali team defeating Elele Alimini 1-0 to emerge champions.
Eighteen communities that participated in this year’s tournament, include, Ede, Obagi, Ubio, Ogbogu, Obiyebe, Akabta, Oboburu, Elele Okinali and Amah.
Others include; Obunwo, Ibewa, Idu, Elele Alimini, Obite, Egita, Rumuekpe, Akabuka and Erema. The participating communities cut across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ikwerre, Ahoada East and Ahoada West LGAs.
In all, teams played 25 matches with 76 goals scored. 103 yellow cards were issued with four players sent off on red card infringements.
Elele Okinali emerged as the highest scoring team on 11 goals, but equally conceded 10 yellow cards before victory.
Rumuekpe team exited at the group stage without scoring a single goal but conceded two goals in the process.
At the end of the match yesterday, Elele Okinali won with 1-0 against Alimini. This makes Okinali four times champion, while Alimini is two times champion in the TotalEnergies tournament with OML58 host communities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event which was held at Obite, ONELGA, the Deputy Managing Director, JV Asset, Mr, Guillaume Dulout, said the football competition is a unique project that has become one of the hallmarks and testimonies of an enduring relationship between NNPCL/TEPNG Joint Venture and its OML58 host Communities.
Represented by Stakeholders Engagement Manager, Henry Ehuike, Dulout said “The continuation of this tournament at a time when the HCDTs are already in place shows the continued commitment of the company and its partners to pay attention to sensitive issues that concerns our host communities even in PlA Era”.
He congratulated the players in all the teams and their respective supporters for their very spirited participation and support since the period of the tournament.
