The Tide/Independent Monitor Team has lifted the maiden edition of Late Henry Kalio SWAN 5-Aside soccer trophy, beating Garden City in the finals 3-2 at the sharks Stadium before mammoth crowd on Tuesday being 22nd December, 2015.
Nine teams participated in the competition, leaving Tide/Independent Monitor team to claim the trophy. Garden City FM was the 1st runner up while Rhythm walked over Treasure to maintain the 3rd place team.
Adokiye Bob-Manuel of Rhythm was adjudged the highest goal scorer with 7 goals. The best goalkeeper award went to Carl Orakwe of Garden City FM while the best behaved team award went to Rhythm FM.
It was fun seeing sports writers doing it themselves in the field. The competition was used to immortalizing Late sports broadcaster Henry Kalio by SWAN. The trophy was donated by Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka of the then Green Eagles.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Honour Sirawoo, South South vice president of SWAN, said SWAN needs to survive, SWAN needs to grow. The general managers should please support sports writers to report sports the way sports aught to be reported for sports writers to succeed in their business of reporting sports, the General mangers of all stations should support SWAN.
In his part, chairman of NUJ, represented by Enegbolu SWAN should make sure this competition is annually.
For Barr. Christopher Green, Rivers State FA chairman and chairman of NFF disciplinary and legal committees, described Henry Kalio as a hero, saying the contribution of Henry Kalio would never be in vain. Pledging that next edition of the competition both the state FA and the sports ministry will contribute to the competition.
For Boma Iyaye, the returnee sports commissioner, he said, SWAN is very important to Rivers State. SWAN is very important to the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, saying for him as a person he regards SWAN. For him to succeed, he will partner with SWAN.
He commended SWAN for honouring Henry Kalio with a soccer trophy. He lauded all that participated while donating N100,000 to support SAWN for next edition take off. ###
