Akwa United winger, Ubong Friday, has revealed that he has a deep passion for children and would therefore share the proceeds of his FIRS Wonder Goal Award with the Children Development Centre in Uyo.
Ubong’s strike against Gombe United on match day 21 was adjudged the best goal of the week by a panel of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He was presented the prestigious award on Wednesday by the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State FIRS Coordinator, Agu Bennet, amidst cheers from fans team mates and visiting Wikki Tourists players at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, as part of pre-match ceremony for the rescheduled NPFL match day 23 fixture between Akwa United and their opponents from Bauchi.
Elated by the recognition, Ubong said he had never won such an award in his career and he was delighted that he was beginning to hit the limelight.
He told npfl-ng.com he woul share the prize money of N150,000 with the Children Development Centre on IBB Boulevard in Uyo which his club and players had been channelling their charity gestures as part of their community relations.
“It is a great thing for me to win this award. I have never received an award like this in my playing career and I am happy that I am the one who has brought it to my club. It is great for me, my family, my team mates, the club and our fans and I am dedicating it to all of them because we are a family.
“I will share the proceeds with the Children Development Centre near our camp here in Uyo. That is the only charity I know and that is where the we as a club and team mates have been visiting to give support from time to time.
“I love children and each time we go there, I remember when I was a child and my younger ones too. I feel very happy that I can personally bring something to them and I thank God for the opportunity. Many of us may have come from homes where our parents have the means to cater for us but when you consider the children at the centre, you are reminded that there are so many children among us who need support from members of the society to go through life. “
Ubong who has five goals so far on record this season believes he has just opened a floodgate for more recognition for Akwa United.
“I hope to keep scoring this season and I believe my team mates too will score such beautiful goals that will be so celebrated. I believe that Christian’s (Pyagbara) goal today will also win the Wonder Goal Award because it was something you can’t believe. I stood in awe of the effort, the gut and the delivery of that goal and I believe it will be count as the best.”
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