Itu Local Government Area has again emerged the champion of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival
The boundary and riverside local government council who won the 2025 edition, secured 108 medals compromising; 59 golds, 33 silvers and 16 bronze, to clinch the first position in the seven-day sporting activities which brought youths from the 31 local government areas together.
Uruan Local Government Area came second, with 83 medals; 27 gold, 33 silver and 23 bronze while Etinan finished third with 51 medals; 23 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze.
In the whole events ,732 medals were won by 29 local government areas; 215 gold, 215 silver and 302 bronze.
Two local government areas; Eastern Obolo and Obot Akara were medal-less in the festival.
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno at the closing and medals presentation of the Sports Festival tagged, “ Ibom 2026” noted that the youths had gathered to continue on the solid foundation built last year, which 18 sports disciplines were competed for , saying that progress has been made in the 2026 edition with 27 events and 4,000 athletes participating .
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah , described as interesting addition , the inclusion of golf in the Sports Festival, including the plan by the leadership and management of the Uyo Golf Club to train five young male and female golfers,free of charge , stressing that Sports is a huge industry, which the government has tap into this opportunity to the advantage of youths.
“The ARISE Agenda has captured the very essence of sports tourism and what we doing today ,is bound to yield untold dividends as we discover stars who will go on to represent us creditably at national and international sports events,” he stated.
The governor added that the flagship project, the ARISE Palm Resort, is hosting nine hole golf courses, football field, courts for tennis and basket ball , and other amenities for in-door sports.
He further stated that the Ibom Sports Academy project at Eket ,will be a legacy that would cater for the future of young stars .
The state chief executive ,congratulated the athletes who won medals at the second Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Games in Benin, Edo State , as well as the three Team Nigeria Commonwealth Games medalists , who did the state and nation proud , which have been offered automatic appointment into the State Civil Service.
Eno further congratulated the winners of various event at the festival and promised them handsome rewards as well as the local government areas for their efforts throughout the sports meet.
Closing the ceremony, Governor Eno said, “after one week of competition ,making friends and promoting the spirit of unity that is the backbone of this administration, it’s time to draw the curtain close.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey ,extolled Governor Eno for standing by his words to make the sports festival an annual event.
“We want to thank His Excellency , Pastor Umo Eno for making this possible. Last year, when we organized the sports festival, we were laying a foundation. This year , we are building on the foundation established. Your Excellency, we are happy, Akwa Ibom people are very grateful, “ he said.
Bassey remarked that one of best things that happened to them was the creation of a stand alone Ministry of Sports Development and therefore, appreciated the governor for having sports in mind.
The commissioner who is also the chairman of the Ministerial Organizing Committee of the Sports Festival, appreciated the Governor Eno for rewarding the athletes who participated at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland , and did Akwa Ibom and Nigeria proud, by giving them automatic entry into the State Civil Service.
He also appreciated the governor for rewarding the three athletes who won medals at the second Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Games at Benin, Edo State
The commissioner commended the athletes for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the games , maintaining that the initiative would continue to drive grassroots talents development for greater height.
Mr Isuamfon Archibong, captain, Ibom Golf and Country Club, also eulogized the governor for including Sports in his ARISE Agenda, noting that the tournament enhances talents hunting and skills harnessing to the national scene and the global community.
Archibong announced the decision of the Club to train young talents in golf and requested each of the 31 local government areas to select five boys and girls for free training in golf .
According to him, this would be the foundation for golf development in Akwa Ibom ,just as the state government brings golf in its sports agenda,adding that 155 young golfers were expected to be drawn from the 31 local government areas.
In a chat with journalists, the Chairman, Itu Local Government Area, Hon. Ubong Nkutt, attributed the feat to hard work among the athletes.
He applauded the governor for giving youths the opportunity to unify and showcase their talents .
“We came well prepared for the festival, I commend the strides of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for giving youths this opportunity, “ Nkutt noted.
The ceremony featured the presentation of trophy to the victorious local government areas , a march-past by local government areas and traditional dances .
The three NDDC Games athletes rewarded with cash are Faithwin Godwin,who won 4×400 meters relay; Mbuotidem Asuquo, three bronze in weightlifting, and Nsidibe Edet,one gold in Kokowa.
In the golf , Mr Ubong Uwah, who represented Uyo Local Government Area, emerged first.
Professor Daniel Udoh and Dr John Udosen, who played for Nsit Ibom took second, while Mr Ifiok Akpabio and Mr Emmanuel Ekwere, came third ,for Uruan