Associations’ Chairmen Laud Gov Eno Over Grassroots Sports Dev’t

For mass investment in grassroots’ sports development in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has been applauded by Chairmen of Sports Associations in the State, with a vow to do everything within their capacity to compliment the gesture by sustaining such legacy as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda blueprint of the administration.

In an interactive meeting with the Honorable commissioner Sports, Elder Paul Bassey held at the conference Hall of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the State capital, the Chairmen took turns to applaud the decision of Governor to create a stand alone Ministry of Sports.

“Not only do we appreciate the creation of a special Ministry of Sports, we thank His Excellency for appointing one of us, a well grounded sports administrator to be the pioneer commissioner of the ministry,” Mr Daniel Udoh, Chairman of State’s Boxing Association, noted.

In his contribution the Accountant General of the State, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien, who is the Chairman of Squash Association, thanked the Commissioner for convening the “very important and innovative meeting”.

He also commended the Ministry for the successful organisation of the just – concluded sports festival, and advised for early preparations and a permanent calendar that will help the associations to plan, a position also supported by his vice, Engineer Iniobong Esuene.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof EmemAbasi Bassey, and the Chairman, Cricket Association, recalled that the successes cricket has recorded over time in the State, and appealed to government to take more interest in the development of the sport right from schools and colleges.

Dr Iniobong Essien, Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Scrabble Association and Mr. Samuel Umoh, Chairman of the State Football Association, as well as Mr Samuel Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Golf Association, noted with the commitment of government, the future of sports was bright in State.

In the same vein, Pharmacist Godswill Eseigbe, of Basketball Federation, made a case for the building of an indoor Sports hall “as a matter of priority,” while Obonganwan Joyce Udoh, Vice Chairman of Judo Federation, speaking on behalf of her Chairman, Engineer Bunmi Johnson, informed that her Association has made a request for land from government to build a Judo facility for the State

Responding, Sports Commissioner Bassey, explained the engagement as a “pioneer meeting aimed at repositioning the State’s sporting architecture, convened to establish a unified roadmap for strengthening sports administration across all associations.”

Elder Bassey said “the session was necessary, timely and expedient in driving the government’s renewed vision for sports development in the state.”

He highlighted Governor Eno’s achievements to include the establishment of a state of the art Sports Academy under construction, successful hosting of the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, the Judiciary Games, and the State’s hosting of the first ever Niger Delta Games.

He also announced ongoing procurement of new sports equipment and the construction of a modern gymnasium at the Nest of Champions (Godswill Akpabio International Stadium).

According to him, the State now has a functional athletes’ database to support both national and international representation.

With these milestones in place, Elder Bassey expressed optimism that Akwa Ibom will soon compete more favourably with other States at national competitions. He added that the Ministry of Sports will undergo further restructuring to ensure a more efficient and development-driven administration.