Sports Association Chairmen Hail Gov Umo Eno, Promise Unalloyed Support

Sports Association Chairmen Hail Gov Umo Eno, Promise Unalloyed Support

The sports strides of Governor Umo Eno have been applauded by Chairmen of Sports Associations in the state, even as they promised to do everything within their capacity to further sports development in the state in line with the Arise Agenda of grassroots sports development.

In an interactive meeting with the Honorable commissioner of sports held at the conference Hall of the Godswill Akpabio stadium yesterday, the Chairmen took turns to applaud the decision of His Excellency to create a stand alone ministry of sports.
“ Not only do we appreciate the creation of a special ministry of sports, we thank His Excellency for appointing one of us, a well grounded sports administrator to be the pioneer commissioner of the ministry” said Mr Daniel Udoh chairman Akwa Ibom State Boxing Association.

In his contribution the Accountant General of the state Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien who is the chairman of Squash Association thanked the commissioner for convening the “very important and innovative meeting” was all praise for the just concluded sports festival and advised early preparations and a permanent calendar that will help the associations to plan. He was supported by his vice Engineer Iniobong Esuene.

The Chief Medical Director of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Prof EmemAbasi Bassey and chairman Cricket Association told the house about the successes cricket has recorded over time and will want the government to take more interest in the development of the sport right from schools and colleges.

Dr Iniobong Essien, Chairman of Akwa Ibom state Scrabble Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh Chairman of Akwa Ibom state Football Association, and Golf Chairman Mr Samuel Ekpenyong, took turns to believe that the future of sports was bright in state.

Pharmacist Godswill Eseigbe of Basketball made a case for the building of an indoor Sports hall as a “priority” while Obong Anwan Joyce Udoh, Vice chairman of Judo speaking on behalf of her chairman Engineer Bunmi Johnson informed that her association has made a request for land from government to build a judo facility for the state

Earlier, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described the engagement as a “pioneer meeting” aimed at repositioning the state’s sports architecture,
convened to establish a unified roadmap for strengthening sports administration across all associations.

Elder Bassey said the session was necessary, timely and expedient in driving the government’s renewed vision for sports development in the state. He highlighted Gov Umo Eno’s achievements to include the establishment of a state of the art Sports Academy under construction, successful hosting of the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, the Judiciary Games, and the state’s hosting of the first ever Niger Delta Games. He also announced ongoing procurement of new sports equipment and the construction of a modern gymnasium at the Nest of Champions.
According to him, the state now has a functional athletes’ database to support both national and international representation.

With these milestones in place, Elder Bassey expressed optimism that Akwa Ibom will soon compete more favourably with other states at national competitions. He added that the Ministry of Sports will undergo further restructuring to ensure a more efficient and development-driven administration.

The Commissioner thanked Governor Umo Eno for his unwavering support to the sports sector. He also commended the Chairmen of the Sports Associations for turning out in large numbers despite the short notice, and appreciated the Permanent Secretary and staff of the Ministry for their commitment to advancing sports development in the state.

In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rosemary Ubia, thanked all the Sports Chairmen for their presence and pledged the Ministry’s commitment to excellence. She expressed confidence in the Commissioner’s ability to steer the sports sector in the right direction.