Governor Umo Eno Launches 2025 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, Vows to Boost Talent Development

Governor Umo Eno Launches 2025 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, Vows to Boost Talent Development

UYO – Governor Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, officially opened the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, themed “Nurturing Talents, Promoting Tourism,” at the Uyo Township Stadium on Monday.

Represented by Deputy Governor Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno highlighted sports as a multi-billion dollar global industry and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises on sports development.

The Governor emphasised Akwa Ibom’s potential to produce outstanding athletes through the festival, revealing plans to establish a Sports Academy in Eket equipped with world-class facilities to nurture local talents. “This festival is designed to discover talents who will proudly represent our state and bring us laurels,” he said.

For the first time in the state’s history, a dedicated Ministry of Sports has been created, led by an internationally recognised sports personality. “We have procured world-class sporting equipment and are ready to deploy resources to enable our youth to compete and excel internationally,” Governor Eno added.

He urged athletes and officials to embrace sportsmanship as they compete across 18 sporting events hosted at multiple locations. The Governor also highlighted investments in tourism and sports infrastructure, including a nine-hole golf course and indoor/outdoor sports facilities at the forthcoming ARISE Park in Uyo, set to open in December.

Commissioner for Sports Elder Paul Bassey thanked the Governor for prioritising sports development without political interference and assured of smooth tournament arrangements. Algon Chairman Dr Uwemedimo Udo pledged local government support for the festival’s success.

Goodwill messages were received from the National Sports Commission, represented by Coach Gabriel Okon, and the State College of Youths and Sports Supervisors.

The opening ceremony featured a march-past by local government teams and Governor Eno performed the symbolic kickoff for the football match between Ikot Abasi and Uyo Local Government Areas.