By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Nov. 19, 2022
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abuja Headquarters Football Club (FC) has emerged the winner of the 41st edition of the CBN Governor’s cup competition.
The final match of the tournament, which was played on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw the Abuja FC beating Minna FC by 2-1 to lift the trophy.
Our Correspondent reports that earlier on Friday, the CBN Kano FC also defeated CBN Calabar FC with 2-1 goals to grab third place in the tournament.
The preliminary matches were played between Aug. 22 and Sept. 2 and the quarter-finals and semi-final matches were also played between Sept. 11 and 18.
The CBN governor’s cup competition began in 1981 and the location for the finals is rotated through all the CBN Branches in different geopolitical zones of the country.
The matches which were played by the staff of CBN in all branches across the country also ushered in the maiden CBN all female novelty football match, where Queen Amina FC defeated Queen Elizabeth with 2-1 goals.
In his remarks at the end of the competition, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said the competition was to encourage a healthy workforce.
Emefiele, who was represented by Mrs Elizabeth Fasorariti, Director Branch Operations Department said the competition also reflected the bank’s contribution towards the development of sports in the country.
He commended all the teams that participated in the event for the healthy spirit of sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition and congratulated the winners and other finalists of the 2022 tournament.
The CBN governor encouraged teams that could not reach the finals to prepare in earnest for the 2023 edition with great passion, determination and hope to win.
“This year’s competition is an epoch-making event as the Maiden CBN All Female Novelty Football Match took place today to usher in a sporting activity for women along with the Governor’s Cup Competition.
“The competition is to engender social recreation, cohesion, team building, and a healthy workforce as well as create a diverse and inclusive sports community within the Bank.
“The location for the finals of this annual competition is usually rotated among the Bank’s Branches in the various geopolitical zones, signifying the Bank’s support for the promotion of sporting activities amongst groups and corporate organisations in all parts of the country.
“Consequently, CBN Ibadan (South-West) hosted the finals in 2021. We are happy that Uyo in South-South is hosting the competition this year,” Emefiele said.
The winners of the competition received a trophy, gold medals, and a cash prize of N800, 000, the second and third place winners received silver and bronze as well as N600,000 and N400,000 respectively and the fourth place team received N200,000.
The CBN governor commended the Akwa Ibom Government and all other stakeholders for their assistance in the successful organisation of the competition.
