The 2025 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival in Southern Nigeria has closed, with the State Governor, Umo Eno, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports and tourism development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the week-long event at the Uyo Sports Stadium, the governor described the festival as “a huge success,” the first to be held in 15 years, and a turning point for grassroots sports development.
READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival Kicks Off
“Over 3,600 athletes from our 31 local government areas came together in an infectious spirit of unity, brotherhood, sportsmanship, and peace,” Governor Eno said.
The governor stated that the theme of this festival, Nurturing Talents, Promoting Tourism, captures his strategic vision to grow beyond oil and position Akwa Ibom as a hub for sports and tourism.
“After one week of intense but healthy competition, this festival has produced winners at every level. Today, we have proven that Akwa Ibom is ready for a sports renaissance,” he noted.
Governor Eno underscored the economic importance of sports, stressing its place in his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
“Sports is a multi-billion-dollar global industry—the reason why it features prominently as a cardinal point of our sports tourism drive. We will continue to support it as we discover new talents who will thereafter carry our flags at major sporting events,” he declared.
He commended the Inter-Ministerial Organising Committee led by Commissioner for Sports Elder Paul “Sports” Bassey for successfully staging the festival after more than a decade.
Rewards for Medalists and LGAs
The governor announced cash rewards for all medallists: ₦500,000 for gold winners, ₦250,000 for silver, and ₦150,000 for bronze.
In recognition of their performances, local governments were also rewarded, with Itu LGA emerging as the overall winner with 63 medals, receiving ₦15 million; Uyo LGA placed second with 43 medals, receiving ₦10 million; and Nsit Atai finished third with 35 medals, receiving ₦5 million. All other participating LGAs received ₦2 million each.
Youth Games Success in Asaba
Governor Eno also lauded the state athletes who excelled at the recently concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, where Akwa Ibom placed 7th overall with 11 gold, 9 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
He confirmed that these medalists would also benefit from the financial rewards and undergo advanced training at the State Sports Academy in Eket.
Reviving Grassroots Competitions
Charting a future course, Governor Eno directed the Sports Ministry and the Ministerial Organising Committee, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to revive inter-house sports and football competitions across secondary schools.
He recalled that legends such as Etim Esin, James Etokebe, and the late Uwem Ekarika were discovered through grassroots competitions, stressing that such a revival would ensure talent discovery for future generations.
Sports Tourism on the Agenda
Governor Eno further pledged to make the festival a regular feature on the state’s tourism calendar. “We will continue to support the sports industry as we discover new talents who will carry our flag at national and international competitions,” he said.
Declaring the festival closed, the governor thanked organisers, participants, and local government chairmen for their support, saying:
“We are all winners. Today, we celebrate not just medals but a new beginning. Congratulations to us all. On this note, I’d like to declare the 2025 State Sports Festival closed. Thank you, and God bless you all.”