The Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, featuring over 3,000 athletes competing in 18 sporting events across the state, has kicked off in Uyo.
Declaring the festival open, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described it as a fulfilment of the campaign promise to make sports a pillar of youth engagement, unity, and talent development.
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Delivering the governor’s message, Eyakenyi said, “We cannot allow the youths of Akwa Ibom State to be idle. That is why in under two years, we have put together what we are witnessing today — a festival designed to discover and showcase talent while uniting our people.”
She further conveyed Eno’s assurance that sports development will remain central to his administration:
“This is not just about competition; it is about preparing our youth to compete and conquer the world. Today, sports are a multi-billion-dollar global industry. We must discover our own Bukayo Saka, Troost Ekong, and Ime Udoka and give them the platform to blossom,” the governor’s message read.
Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Elder Paul Bassey, highlighted the festival’s central purpose as a pipeline for discovering and nurturing new sporting talents.
“We have a duty and a mandate to discover talent so we can nurture them and get them prepared for the Ibom Sports Academy that is coming on stream. This festival is not just an event; it is a seedbed for the future of Akwa Ibom sports,” he affirmed.
He added that the festival would span the state with multiple disciplines.
We have a week-long series of activities in over 18 sports. The venues are spread across the state — football, badminton, basketball, you name it,” Bassey announced.
“Local government leaders also pledged their commitment to grassroots sports”, Uwemedimo Udo, Chairman of ALGON in Akwa Ibom, said:
“Our young athletes now have an opportunity to be exposed to competition that will prepare them for national and international stages. This is a worthy investment, and we will continue to ensure fair play and strong participation from all 31 LGAs.”
Representing the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, Coach Gabriel Okon pledged the support of the commission, assuring:
“We at the national level will continue to support Akwa Ibom in all sports. We urge athletes and officials to compete earnestly, without cheating, in the true spirit of sportsmanship.”
The opening ceremony featured the oath of allegiance administered by African judo champion Enku Ekuta Ewa on behalf of athletes and Coach Daniel Umoette on behalf of officials, committing to fair play and discipline.
Governor Eno, through his deputy, formally lit the festival flames and declared the festival open, charging athletes to compete in the spirit of unity and excellence.
“I hereby declare the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival open. Let the games begin,” the governor proclaimed, as Senator Eyakenyi performed the symbolic kickoff of the opening football match between Ikot Abasi and Uyo LGAs.
The festival has participating athletes drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.
