No More Excuse For Non Performance, Gov Eno Tells Akwa Ibom Athletes

*Declares weeklong sports festival open

By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has urged athletes in the state to see the deliberate efforts of the state government in the provisions of sporting facilities as investment that will help them train, complete and win Laurels for themselves and the state at national and international sporting events

Governor Eno made the remarks in his address to declare open the state sports festival in Uyo on Monday.

According to the governor, the usual complaints on lack of modern facilities and training equipment by athletes as reasons for their low performances during such competitions will no longer be tenable.

These steps by the state government include the establishment of a stand alone ministry of sports, overhauling of the ministry of sports and buying of modern sporting equipment as well as establishment of sports academy in the state.

“For the first time in the history of our dear state, we have created a stand alone Ministry of Sports headed by an international acclaimed and a renounced Journalist, Paul Sports Bassey, whose wealth of experience and strategic insight in sports development have taken the state higher on the path of development. We are assured that he will implement our vision for sports development in our state.

“We have approved the establishment of the Sports Academy in Eket and has gone ahead with the overhauling and buying of the world class sporting equipment which will help our youths to train, compete and excel at national and international sporting events.

“We have also developed modern facilities by building a nine hole golf course, football pitch, tennis courts, basketball, squash, beach, volleyball and handball etc. at our ARISE PARK in Uyo which will be commissioned in December this this year.

“The lack of modern equipment had always been the reasons for our inability to win Laurel for the state at major national and international sporting events. Now we have done what is necessary therefore we hope with the provisions of these tools, the story will be different.” Governor Eno positioned.

The Governor who was represented by Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, his deputy said the holding of the state sports festival was to discover fresh talents, drive youth empowerment, and position the state for global sporting excellence.

Themed “Glorious Days: Nurturing Talent, Promoting Tourism,” Governor Eno said the festival will feature 18 sporting events across Uyo, Eket Township Stadium, Aka Community Secondary School, and Tower of Ivory, Ediene Abak.

He described the event as a fulfillment of his campaign promise to prioritise sports as a tool for youth development and international recognition

The governor said, “Sports today is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, and Akwa Ibom must find its place on that stage.

“We must discover new talents, grow them, and expose them to agents and managers at every level until they blossom like others already excelling across the world.”

Citing examples of Akwa Ibom and Nigerian stars on the global stage, Eno mentioned Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, WBO heavyweight champion Moses Itauma, and Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka as proof that talent from the state can conquer the world.

Addressing the athletes, Eno urged them to display dignity, discipline, and determination. by exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship, build friendships, and win laurels for yourselves and our state,” he charged.

Sports Commissioner Elder Paul Bassey, who doubled as Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the event, said the festival would serve as a breeding ground for the next generation of champions, noting that successful athletes would be nurtured in the state’s new Sports Academy.

Representing the National Sports Commission, Coach Gabriel Okon pledged the body’s support and urged participants to uphold fair play.

“The goal is to harness the best athletes who can represent Akwa Ibom at national and international levels,” he stressed.

The festival, which will run for one week, has attracted thousands of athletes from across the state competing for medals and the chance to become future sporting ambassadors.