AKWA IBOM SPORTS MINISTRY BEGINS STATEWIDE SPORTS ASSETS INVENTORY

AKWA IBOM SPORTS MINISTRY BEGINS STATEWIDE SPORTS ASSETS INVENTORY

The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports has commenced a comprehensive compilation of inventory of all sports infrastructure across the state, following a directive from His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno at a recent State Executive Council meeting in Uyo.

The initiative aims to enhance safety, ensure proper maintenance, and assess the viability of facilities for possible upgrades or replacements.

Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, emphasized that the inventory is crucial to sustaining the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s sports tourism center.

Key facilities under review include the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo Township Stadium, Eket Stadium, Olympic-size swimming pool, Arise Park sports facilities, Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center sport’s facilities Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, West Itam Sports Center and various sports centers and academies.

He noted that Akwa Ibom remains the only Nigerian state with a stadium certified by both CAF and FIFA for international football matches, attributing this to the state’s strong maintenance culture — a legacy the current administration seeks to expand under the Arise Agenda.
During the recent Town Hall meeting in Eket, His Excellency the Governor engaged the sports commissioner on the functional state of facilities at the Eket Stadium and asked him to report back to Exco as soon as possible as directed.

“Akwa Ibom State has been Nigeria’s sports tourism center for some years now and His Excellency Pastor Umo Bassey is determined to maintain the status quo as we have seen in his administration’s resolve in maintaining sports infrastructure and facilities across the state.

“The fact that Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is the only stadium in Nigeria that meets CAF and FIFA standards for hosting international football matches, is a testament to the maintenance culture of past and present administrations in the state. As captured in the Arise Agenda of His Excellency, we are committed to extending that maintenance culture to all sports infrastructure and facilities in Akwa Ibom state.

“The comprehensive compilation and sports assets inventory exercise is a step towards repositioning and ensuring proper maintenance of sports infrastructure and facilities while promoting and marketing our state as a sports tourism destination”.

The initiative is expected to support strategic planning for future sports development and enhance the state’s capacity to host local and international sporting events.