Adhere To Rules, Bassey Warns LOC As A/Ibom Sports Festival Begins Sept 22

As the countdown to the official opening ceremony of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival continues, ahead of the September 22, 2026 kick – of date, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has cautioned members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), including Local Government Chairmen and Sports Supervisors, to ensure strict compliance with the prescribed registration processes to avoid the disqualification of athletes from the games.

Elder Bassey gave the charge during separate meetings with Local Government Chairmen and Sports Supervisors, where he briefed them on the level of preparations for the forthcoming festival and stressed the need for all participating local government areas to adhere strictly to the registration guidelines.

The Sports Commissioner emphasised that the registration of all athletes and officials must be conducted through the official festival portal, noting that information supplied by each athlete must correspond with the required supporting documents for successful authentication, registration and documentation.

“This year, registration for athletes and officials is done online, and each local government has a unique customised identification code. Information on identity, especially for athletes, must match with all other documents and clearly indicate the origin of the athlete.”

According to him, key documents required for the registration of athletes include a Certificate of Origin, National Identification Number (NIN) and passport photograph. He explained that any discrepancy between the documents could lead to rejection of the registration by the portal and subsequent disqualification of the athlete.

“If the NIN of an athlete shows that he or she is from Eket but the Certificate of Origin shows Ikot Abasi, such registration will be rejected by the portal and the athlete will be disqualified from the games. Again, there is no way one athlete will be registered by two different local government areas,”.

Elder Bassey warned against any attempt to manipulate the registration process, stressing that the festival is being sponsored by the Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, for the benefit of Akwa Ibom youths.

“This festival is graciously sponsored by His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno for the benefit of Akwa Ibom youths, so we will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that will attempt to truncate this noble effort,”.

The Sports Commissioner also disclosed that the Main Organizing Committee would provide accommodation facilities for participating athletes, while noting that local government areas were at liberty to make their own private accommodation arrangements where necessary to enhance coordination and concentration of their teams.

In his remarks, the Dean, College of Sports Supervisors in the state, Hon. Michael Ukpong, commended Governor Umo Eno for fulfilling his promise to host another edition of the state sports festival following the success recorded during last year’s event.

Ukpong, also appreciated the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for painstakingly briefing the Sports Supervisors on the modalities and preparations for the festival. He urged all local government areas to present disciplined athletes and officials, stressing that the success of the event depended on the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders.

The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium with the State Governor Umo Eno, expected to declare the annual sports fiesta open.