A’IBOM SPORTS COMMISSIONER URGES FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATORS TO EMBRACE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

A’IBOM SPORTS COMMISSIONER URGES FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATORS TO EMBRACE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

… says Government has lofty programmes for the sports sector

Edidiong Stephen
July 22, 2026.

Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has called on football administrators across the state to continually embrace capacity-building initiatives and professional development programmes as a means of improving sports administration and advancing the growth of football.

The commissioner made the call when he received the Team Manager of Ibom Angels Football Club, Honourable Mary Udobia, in his office, Wednesday.

Udobia was at the Ministry to present the certificate of participation she received after successfully attending the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)-organised FIFA Capacity-Building Workshop for Women Football Administrators in Nigeria, which took place from July 16 to 20, in Abuja.

Commending the Team Manager for taking advantage of the training opportunity, Elder Bassey described knowledge acquisition as an indispensable tool for effective sports administration. He noted that continuous learning would equip administrators with modern management skills, improve professionalism, and position the state’s football ecosystem for greater success.

The commissioner further disclosed that the Akwa Ibom state Government has outlined ambitious programmes for the sports sector aimed at discovering talents, strengthening sports institutions, improving human capacity, and creating an enabling environment for athletes and administrators to excel. He urged stakeholders to key into these initiatives through regular training and self-development.

Responding, Honourable Mary Udobia expressed appreciation to the commissioner for the warm reception accorded her and encouragement. She said the FIFA workshop exposed participants to global best practices in women’s football administration and pledged to apply the knowledge gained towards enhancing the operations and continued success of Ibom Angels Football Club.

She also thanked the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA for organizing the workshop, describing it as a valuable platform for empowering women football administrators and promoting excellence in the administration of the women’s game in Nigeria.