UYO-Governor Umo Eno has announced plans to commence the construction of a state-of-the-art Sports Academy in Eket Local Government Area.
The announcement was contained in the Governor’s address delivered by Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the State’s Sports Festival , Tuesday in the Uyo Township Stadium.
Eno said the academy would provide a dedicated platform to nurture athletes discovered through the state’s sporting programmes and prepare them for higher-level competition.
He also directed the revival of inter-house sports in schools and colleges, describing grassroots competitions as an important pathway for identifying sporting talents.
The Governor said the decision to make the festival an annual event followed the successes recorded at the inaugural edition, particularly the emergence of athletes who went on to excel at national, continental and international competitions.
Athletes discovered through the first festival subsequently represented Akwa Ibom at the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Games in Benin and Edo State, winning 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze medals.
Eno cited the achievements of weightlifters Edidiong Umoafia and Ruth Asuquo, who became African champions and qualified to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
He also highlighted judoka, Enku Ekuta, who won Nigeria’s first international judo medal in more than 24 years, and Jacinta Lawrence of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ekpene, who emerged Nigeria’s junior champion in the 400 metres.
Eno said financial incentives had been approved for athletes who represented the state at the NDDC Games, stressing that recognition and rewards could motivate athletes to improve their performances.
He urged participants in the 2026 festival to embrace fair play, determination and commitment, assuring them that failure to win at one competition should not discourage them from pursuing their sporting ambitions.
Speaking for the 31 local government councils, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON Chairman in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, pledged continued support for the festival and the state government’s sports development initiatives.
Udo said the councils were committed to creating more opportunities for young athletes at the grassroots and promised incentives for athletes who distinguish themselves during the competition.
The Commissioner for Sports Development and Chairman of the Ministerial Organising Committee, Elder Paul Bassey, extolled the governor for establishing a standalone Ministry of Sports Development and providing funding for athletes, logistics and rewards.
Bassey said the administration’s reward system had contributed to improved performances by Akwa Ibom athletes and noted that three outstanding athletes had been offered automatic employment in the State Civil Service following their achievements.
The second State Sports Festival will run for one week, with athleteps from all 31 local government areas competing across various sporting disciplines as the state continues its search for talents capable of representing Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at higher levels.