The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Abuja Headquarters Football Club have emerged winners of the 41st edition of the CBN Governor’s Cup competition in Uyo.

The final match of the tournament, which was played on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw CBN Abuja FC beating CBN Minna FC 2-1 to lift the trophy.

Earlier on Friday, CBN Kano FC defeated CBN Calabar FC 2-1 in the third place playoff.

The preliminary matches were played between Aug. 22 and Sept. 2 and the quarter-finals as well as the semi-final matches were played between Sept. 11 and Sept. 18.

The CBN Governor’s Cup competition started in 1981 with the location for the finals rotated through all the CBN branches in the different geo-political 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 2-1.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by Elizabeth Fasorariti, the Director, Branch Operations Department, noted that the competition was to encourage a healthy workforce.

Emefiele said the competition also reflected the bank’s contribution toward 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 geo-political zones.

“This signifies the bank’s support for the promotion of sporting activities among 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 CBN governor also commended the Akwa Ibom Government and all other stakeholders for their assistance in the successful organisation of the competition.

Winners of the competition smiled home with a cash prize of N800, 000, while the second and third place winners pocketed N600,000 and N400,000 respectively.

The fourth placed team settled for a N200,000 cash prize. (NAN)