By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has called on Sports Supervisors across the state’s 31 local government areas to intensify efforts in developing grassroots sports in alignment with the Arise Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
He made the charge during a review meeting with the College of Sports Supervisors held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where he commended their contributions to the successful hosting of the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
Elder Bassey expressed appreciation to the Supervisors for their dedication, stating that the successful organization of the festival has prompted the Governor to mandate the inter-ministerial committee to begin early preparations for the 2026 edition.
“We are here today, as I promised, to thank all of you for supporting the vision of His Excellency, the Governor. Because of the success of the last edition, the Governor has already asked us to begin plans for the next festival. We have one year, and I’m confident the next one will be even better,” he stated.
The Commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Sports has established a database to track the progress of standout athletes discovered during the festival. According to him, these athletes will be nurtured for participation in national and international competitions.
He applauded Governor Umo Eno for revitalizing the State Sports Festival, stressing the numerous benefits including talent discovery and youth engagement. Elder Bassey also emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between the Ministry and local government councils to deepen grassroots sports development.
Addressing the Governor’s earlier pledge to reward medal-winning athletes, the Commissioner assured that a memo has already been submitted and that funds would be released soon.
Earlier in the meeting, the Dean of the College of Sports Supervisors, Hon. Etinyene Offongekpe, commended the Governor for his support of the sports sector, noting that the festival fostered unity and unveiled new talents across the state. He also praised the appointment of Elder Paul Bassey as Commissioner, describing him as “a square peg in a square hole,” and pledged continued cooperation from the Supervisors’ body.
Also present at the meeting were the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, members of the Sports Festival Inter-Ministerial Committee, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and other senior officials.
