Sports Recorder | By Solomon OKPO
Akwa Ibom State Government has formally unveiled the logo for the much-anticipated Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival 2025, scheduled to hold from September 8 to 13 in Uyo, the state capital.
Speaking at a media parley to announce the event, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who represented Governor Umo Eno, described the festival as a landmark initiative under the present administration’s ARISE Agenda. He said the festival will not only serve as a platform for healthy competition but also drive tourism, economic development, and talent discovery in the state.
According to Bassey, sports has been accorded a central place in the administration’s development blueprint, hence the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Sports. He noted that since inception, the government has revived the Governor’s Cup, hosted the Niger Delta Games, and staged the South-South elimination rounds of the National Youth Games.
The 2025 Sports Festival, he disclosed, will feature 18 sporting events, including athletics, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, karate, taekwondo, and para-athletics, while team sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, and handball will be contested at federal constituency level. An estimated 3,600 athletes across the 31 Local Government Areas are expected to participate.
Ahead of the festival, Governor Umo Eno will on August 29 flag off the Unity Torch Relay, which will tour all local government areas to sensitize communities and mobilize support for the event.
Highlighting the state’s sports infrastructure, Bassey pointed to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Olympic-sized swimming pool, Itam Sports Centre, ARISE Park facilities, and the planned Ibom Sports Academy in Eket as proof of the administration’s commitment to sports development.
He further revealed that Governor Eno has approved funds for the procurement of modern sports equipment—the first major investment of its kind in 14 years.
The commissioner commended the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for its efforts in ensuring that the festival becomes a turning point for sports in the state. He assured that the event would not only foster unity among Akwa Ibom people but also position the state as a force in national and international sports competitions.
