The Akwa Ibom State government has launched investigation into the abysmal performance of the state contingent at the just-concluded regional sports festival organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This followed allegations of embezzlement of funds meant for the athletes’ allowances and failure to provide sporting kits and other motivational aids for the athletes who participated at the competition.
Commissioner of Sports in the state, Elder Paul Bassey, has therefore inaugurated a five-man fact-finding committee to review the performance of the athletes during the maiden competition.
The Committee has Barr. Ime Akpan as its Chairman while the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Amos Etuk; Dr. Promise Etim and Hon. John Ekpenyong are members while an Assistant Director in the ministry, Mr James James will serve at the committee’s secretary.
Inaugurating the committee at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Elder Bassey explained that the mandate of the committee was to study and examine Akwa Ibom State participation in the Niger Delta Sports Festival with a view to advising the ministry going forward.
The sports commissioner gave the committee 10 days within which to submit their report, adding that “it will help the ministry to address shortcomings, develop sports at the grassroots and build human capacity in sports for effective representation.
“The issue of the Niger Delta Festival, I didn’t think it was good to sweep it under the carpet without addressing the concerns, especially the complaints and protests that rocked Akwa Ibom camp. This committee will help unravel that, and give recommendations to avoid future occurrences.
“This committee is not punitive, it’s not vindictive, it’s a fact-finding Committee,” he added.
Bassey therefore assured that the ministry will remain focused on developing sports and talents at the grassroots level in line with the vision of Governor Umo Eno, and called on the public, including athletes and sports-loving residents to volunteer useful information to the committee to guide their findings and recommendations.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Barr. Akpan, assured that the committee would work diligently without fear or favour in the overall interest of the state.
LEADERSHIP learnt there were protests and complains from athletes during the festival over payment of allowances and lack of kits for competition.
The team came 6th in the tournament with 9 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals totaling 37, out of nine states of the Niger Delta that participated in the competition.
