The Diary Game || 2-06-24 || Witnessing the Opening of TE Foundation - A Charity Match By Nigerian Footballers and Celebrities

Dear Diary,

It was my first time at the International Stadium in my State Akwa Ibom and City, Uyo. I've never been there before, just the physical structures I've been seeing and pictures. Something made me go there and my going there was full of surprises.

I never expected to see what my eyes saw that day. The love was massive. It was the best of opening I've seen in a while. TROOST EKONG FOUNDATION - A NEW ERA IN UNITING THE WORLD WITH FOOTBALL. This is the narrative of how my day went that first Sunday of the month.

A Sunday to Remember

It was a Sunday morning and I choose to start my day with something spiritual. I had a meeting to attend that morning which placed emphasis on avoiding darkness and remaining in the light. Emphasis using the scriptures as an authority were placed to show what things can make us be in the dark and how we can come into the light.

This includes sexual immorality, greediness, obscene jesting etc. After the meeting, I took to leaving for home in preparation for the football game at the international stadium in my City. After having a junk food so to speak, I left with my friend for the stadium. Wasn't really hungry that afternoon that's why I choose to taking something light.

We boarded a vehicle to about three bus stops before actually reaching the junction close to the international stadium. We were out of cash as we've spent over a thousand naira which is equivalent to 2 steems plus. I took to getting cash from a POS vendor by the street and then, we were off for the stadium on a motorcycle.

The crowd I saw on my way to the stadium was overwhelming. The very thought of seeing such a huge structure and having the opportunity of going in there with no gate fee was the best of opportunity for me. I walked in excitedly with the crowd of such magnitude. By the gate side, my bag was searched twice before I was allowed in. Excitement was my surname and I found a better view to station myself with my friend.

The presence of two radio stations, Inspiration and passion FM were acknowledged. MC Governor was there as well. Finding a perfect view for myself was the best thing I did. The stadium is damn big and wide. The field also is as spacious with its special grass that's as green as a carpet grass.

My job was to capture everything I used my eyes to see. These are what I saw in the stadium I went for the first time. There is a big television that envisions things mostly at night when ball is played there or when there's a show that's ongoing. I also snapped the covering of the stadium itself.

In no time, a lot of people filled up the seats available there but they didn't fill to capacity as majority were unaware of the face that something spectacular would happen there. The Master of Ceremony started by making everywhere lively and fun before the players came out of their dressing rooms for showcase.

The host of the foundation really pulled a lot of funds for his grand opening. The people he invited shocked me to my bones. I felt I was dreaming but no,I wasn't. These are the people I saw in the field. This Nigerian footballer by name Troost Ekong opened a foundation by making it grand with a charity match among footballers and non-footballars.

Sourced from twitter

This arrangement of the charity match made me see the unity football brings. Their differences aside, they came on board to pull strings. I saw some popular Nigerian celebrities for the first time.

Troost Ekong	Nigerian Footballer
Admed Musa	Nigerian Footballer
Ebuka	Big Brother Naija Host
Falz	The musician
Poco lee	The musician
Odumodublvck	The musician
Ikpa Udo	The musician
Victor chukwewze	Nigerian Footballer
Nwabili	Nigerian Keeper
Sabinus	The comedian
Reggie	Model and Actor

And lot more........ popular footballers and footballers

The match commenced in no time with the first set of players coming out of the dressing room with their finely dressed jerseys. The match commenced officially with the Nigerian Anthem sung by the players and all viewers present. It was a friendly match with these top footballers and celebrities mixed together.

Team orange	Team Green

My focus level was 100% for the first time. There was a drone to capture the whole event.
Photographers were in place to ensure they did the best they could. Some of these photographers do collect contracts that are huge after showing the results of their capture on net
Young boys were positioned to replace the balls whenever one is out.

The friendly match started with a penalty kick by team orange and team green also bounced back with a penalty they didn't miss. The first half of the game ended well and the MC had us entertained while waiting for the second half.

There's this man that is just so talented in showing off how Nigerian players do play. He did this for all the top Nigerian players and didn't miss the styles, swag and play. He was just so good. Thereafter, a popular singer emerged on stage and started performing. Ikpa Udoh was introduced. Odumodublvck also performed two songs of which we the big fans were so excited about everything that happened.

I was so impressed I must admit. It was my first time seeing these celebrities physically. Sabinus the comedian was also introduced of which everyone cheered him. The second half ended in a draw of which there was a penalty kick. Since it was no serious match, there was no winner. Before then, the host Troost Ekong announced on his social media handle that they'll be giveaways for those who attend the event and this was announced that day.

The announcement went this way;

Someone would go home with #500k naira cash and twenty people will go home with 20k if only they snap of picture of them in the stadium and then post on their twitter social handle, tagging #troostekongfoundation. It was going to be based on random selection and guess what, I participated, still waiting for the result.

The match ended with a loud cheer and a lot of people went to take photographs with some popular celebrities they saw there. To all Nigerians who know Troost Ekong, please follow him on twitter and Facebook. It's not easy to open a foundation that's football inclined and then pulling up such celebrities down to Uyo. For Falz and Ebuka to come to Uyo is really a big blessing for the Akwa Ibomites.

Photographer	@bossj23
Devices	Redmi Note 12 Pro and Samsung galaxy
Gate fee	Free
Venue	God's Will Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, AKS. Nigeria

I then took to taking pictures with my phone to show my excitement about that day. Truly, it was a Sunday to remember and will always be remembered. Once upon a time, @bossj23 witnessed the launch of a new Era, a new foundation in football by one of the top players in Nigeria.....Troost Ekong. That was how my day went.

Before I end this diary, there's another match coming up on the 7th of June, 2024 that's 3 days from now.

Nigeria 🇳🇬	South Africa 🇿🇦
@bossj23	@patjewell
Venue	God's Will Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Aks. Nigeria

Let's make this loud on social media. Which of these two African countries would win? Is it Nigeria or South Africa? The prediction line is drawn and it ends on Friday by 12pm. 5 steem Power for correct prediction.