Ime Okon Applauds Gov Eno on Sports Festival, says Even will drive Talent Discovery, Sports Touris

Ime Okon Applauds Gov Eno on Sports Festival, says Even will drive Talent Discovery, Sports Tourism

The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, has commended Governor Umo Eno for his massive investment in the sports sector, describing the ongoing Akwa Ibom Sports Festival as a giant step towards talent discovery and the promotion of sports tourism in the state.

Okon, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, said in a press release on Tuesday, that, the Governor has repositioned Akwa Ibom as the nation’s leading hub of grassroots sports development, noting that a good number of our young athletes now have the opportunity to showcase their skills and pursue careers in professional sports.

The lawmaker observed that with the official flag-off of the 2025 edition of the festival, Eno-led administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to youth empowerment, economic diversification and international visibility through sports.

He stressed that his own representation in the Green Chamber will continue to align with the Governor’s vision by supporting policies and initiatives that directly impact the lives of Itu and Ibiono people.

Highlighting some of the Governor’s huge interventions, the former Deputy Leader of the State House of Assembly, listed the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Sports, sustained maintenance of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as home of the Super Eagles, revival of the Governor’s Cup which has already produced budding football stars, and procurement of over N300 million worth of modern sports equipment.

He also listed the ongoing construction of the Arise Sports Academy in Eket, the establishment of a nine-hole golf course and a multi-sports complex at the Arise Resort in Uyo, as part of Governor Umo Eno’s enduring legacy in sports development and tourism within just two years.

The Barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court assured that as the festival engages over 3,000 athletes drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas in 18 sporting events, his constituency remains fully supportive of the Governor’s ARISE agenda. He reiterated his commitment to following the Governor’s humanity-first approach to governance by promoting empowerment programmes and developmental projects that uplift Itu and Ibiono Ibom.