The Akwa Ibom governor,Pastor Umo Eno has acknowledged and congratulated two indigenous athletes , Edidiong Umoafia and Ruth Nyong ,who have both done the state and nation proud by winning gold and silver medals ,respectfully on weightlifting in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland .
The commendation was contained in the release by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, after the State Executive Council meeting at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office,Uyo, Monday.
The governor also approved the hosting of 2026 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival scheduled toward end of the year.
The accolades followed a report presented by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bsssey who also highlighted on preparations for the hosting of sports festival.
The Governor-in-Council commended the impact of the Sports Festival on youth talent discovery, sports development, and social integration, and urged the organising committee to ensure a successful outing.
Umoafia produced a commanding performance in winning the men’s 71kg weightlifting event,from start to finish, recording 147kg in the before marching the best 172kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a winning total of 319kg.
Reacting to his victory he said,“It was not easy for me, but I had to try my hardest after the last Commonwealth Games. After I won bronze in Birmingham, I went back and trained hard … every day, every chance, every minute. I tried to use my time well. I used all my thinking for this moment, for this day.”
Umoafia noted that rather than thinking of going on a spending spree or buy choice luxury things , he wants to get more training equipment and a car, for him to move around easily when he returns to Nigeria, adding that he would also invest in his career, to build on his success.
In the female category,Nyong had earlier on Sunday ,won silver in the women’s 48kg weightlifting.
Dr Ibrahim Abdul, the president of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, praised Nyong’s resilience, stating she displayed the true “fighting spirit” that Nigerians are known for.
Nyong showed incredible composure under intense pressure, reacting to the brink of elimination by successfully nailing her final clean and jerk attempt to win silver .