After three decades of inactivity, the Chief Medical Director’s Football Cup (CMD UCTH Cup) has made a remarkable return to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), thanks to the initiative of the current CMD, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme. The football tournament was officially declared open on May 5, 2025, during a vibrant opening ceremony that featured four competitive matches between participating teams.
This historic revival is being coordinated by Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at UCTH, who has worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. According to Dr. Ogar, the event came to fruition after thorough planning and research, ensuring a well-organized, fair, and inclusive tournament.
The UCTH CMD Cup 2025 opening ceremony was a grand success! Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, the Chief Medical Director, was delighted to see the tournament come to fruition. His management team was overjoyed by the crowd’s enthusiasm and team spirit.
Prof. Ikpeme emphasized the core purpose of the tournament in his remarks: “A healthy life is a wealthy life.” The competition seeks to foster unity, promote physical well-being, and encourage healthy rivalry among professionals and institutions. Dr. Ogar also highlighted that all officiating duties have been entrusted to external coordinators to ensure neutrality, fairness, and transparency throughout the tournament.
Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, who hosted the event in 1995, expressed joy at being part of this nostalgic moment, 30 years later.
The CMD UCTH Football Cup 2025 features teams from various professional bodies and institutions, including:
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Calabar
East Side Football Club
Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Calabar
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Cross River State Chapter
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State
Nigerian Navy Ship, Calabar
Nigerian Police Force, Cross River State Command
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Calabar
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Team
The grand finale of the tournament is scheduled for May 11, 2025, and is expected to draw even more attention as teams vie for the coveted trophy. Interviews with team leads and coaches revealed high spirits and gratitude toward the organizers. Many praised the event as a long-overdue opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new acquaintances, and promote camaraderie beyond the workplace.
The opening ceremony was graced by several prominent figures, including:
Dr. Michael Odere, Cross River State Commissioner for Finance
Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, Former CMD, UCTH
Dr. Innocent Abang, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), UCTH
Dr. (Mrs.) Maureen Bassey, Director of Administration, UCTH
Dr. Ofem Enang, Head of Department, Internal Medicine
Dr. Joseph Udosen, Head of Department, Surgery
Dr. Ezoke Epoke, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State
Comr. Josephine Bassey, Chairperson, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), CRS
Pharm. Uzodima, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), CRS
Mr. Soni Eloma, Director of Finance, UCTH
Cross River State Commissioner for Health Dr Egbe Ayuk warmly represent by the Special Adviser On Nursing, Mr. Coco Bassey-Esu
Dr. Ogar described the event as a “remarkable achievement and a symbol of renewed unity.” Participants and guests echoed this sentiment, with many expressing joy at the rekindling of an event that strengthens both professional and social bonds within and beyond the medical community.
As anticipation builds toward the finale, the CMD UCTH Football Cup stands as a shining example of how sports can revive long-lost traditions and bring people together under a common spirit of unity and well-being.
