Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has approved the establishment of a sport academy in Eket Local Government Area of the state
The governor announced this while declaring open the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival 2025 in Uyo on Monday with the theme ‘nurturing talents, promoting tourism’.
Eno disclosed that government has commenced purchase of world-class sporting equipment that would help sport men and women train and compete in International competitions.
He said, ‘We have approved the establishment of a sports academy in Eket and have gone ahead with the purchase of world-class sporting equipment which will help our sports, our youths to train, compete and excel at international events’.
The governor who blamed lack of modern equipment to dismal performance of the state in national and international competitions, however said with the development of sporting facilities such as the nine hole golf course, outdoor and indoor games at various tourism location, the ARISE Resort Park in Uyo, which is billed to open in December of this year will change the story
According to him, ‘We have also developed sporting facilities including the nine whole golf course, outdoor and indoor games at our delicious tourism location, the ARISE Resort Park in Uyo, which is built to open in December of this year.
‘The lack of modern equipment has always been one of the reasons for our inability to win laurels at major national and international sporting events.We have done what is necessary. We hope with the provision of these tools, the story will now be different’.
He said during the festival the state would deploy all aspects of the popular culture from music, sports, culinary expertise, rich cultural sites and heritage to showcase the state as the destination of choice
He urged participants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, build friendship and win laurels for themselves and for the state.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the state commissioner of Sports Development, Elder Paul Basssy lauded the state governor’s huge investment in the development of sports in the state
He said the state has started reaping from the creation of a stand alone Ministry for Sports with the unveiling of the sport festival.
