Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has declared the Ibom Games open, saying the annual sporting fiesta has evolved into a major talent-discovery platform and a strategic instrument for youth development and empowerment under his administration.
Speaking at the second edition of the festival, which opened in Uyo, Governor Eno said the decision to make the event an annual affair as a result of the success of the maiden edition last year; particularly the quality of its organisation, the discovery of promising talents from the grassroots and the enthusiasm demonstrated by the 31 local government areas in supporting the state’s youth development initiative.
Key Highlights:
Ibom Games: Governor Eno opened the 2026 festival as a talent-discovery platform.
Sports success: Akwa Ibom athletes won 55 medals at the NDDC Games.
Rewards: Outstanding athletes received financial incentives and appointments.
Sports academy: Government will build a sports academy in Eket.
Youth development: The state plans to revive school sports and develop grassroots
However, the governor represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, said the impact of the maiden edition of the festival has already yielded tangible results, with athletes discovered through the competition subsequently exposed to national and international competitions where they recorded remarkable performances.
He recalled that Team Akwa Ibom won 55 medals at the NDDC Games in Benin, Edo State, describing the feat as evidence of what sustained grassroots talent identification could achieve.
Governor Eno disclosed that he has approved financial incentives for the athletes who distinguished themselves at the NDDC Games and directed the commissioner for sports development to organise a reception for them, stressing that the government’s recognition of sporting achievements is necessary to build confidence and motivate young athletes to strive for greater accomplishments.
According to the governor, the success stories have continued beyond the NDDC Games, with Akwa Ibom athletes excelling in chess, athletics, squash, weightlifting, taekwondo, basketball and judo, among other sporting disciplines.
Of particular significance, he said, is the achievement of Edidiong Umofia and Ruth Nyong, who emerged African champions in weightlifting in Egypt and subsequently won medals for team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The two athletes are among the three sports personalities offered automatic appointments into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service in recognition of their exceptional performances.
He further cited Samuel Cosmos, who won three gold medals at the NDDC Games, stressing that such achievements justify the state government’s decision to sustain its investment in grassroots sports development.
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Governor Eno, however, said the objective of the festival goes beyond the winning of medals, stressing that the state must deliberately invest in the future of its young athletes by rebuilding the foundation of sports development in schools.
He disclosed that he has directed the commissioner for sports development to revive inter-house sports competitions in schools and colleges, recalling the role such competitions played in discovering sporting talents in the past.
The governor expressed concern over the disappearance of playing fields and the declining availability of games masters in schools, noting that green areas traditionally used for sporting activities had increasingly been replaced by concrete structures.
As part of efforts to address the challenge, Governor Eno announced that the state government would within days, award the contract for the construction of a state-of-the-art sports academy in Eket, which he described as a legacy project designed to nurture, develop and prepare athletes discovered through grassroots competitions for higher levels of competition.
He also commended the sports supervisors across the 31 local government areas for their commitment to the festival and praised the local government chairmen for their support during the Torch of Unity Tour, which took the festival’s message of unity and youth empowerment across the state.
The governor urged participants to allow the symbolism of the Torch of Unity to reflect the spirit of togetherness and oneness throughout the games, describing the local governments as indispensable partners in the state’s drive to discover and empower young talents through sports.
Addressing the athletes, Governor Eno charged them to seize the opportunity provided by the festival, compete with determination and allow the principles of fairness and sportsmanship to guide their participation.
“If you don’t win today, you will win tomorrow, ” the governor told the athletes, expressing optimism that the second edition of the festival would produce another generation of sporting stars capable of making Akwa Ibom and Nigeria proud.
With the declaration, the governor formally opened the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, setting the stage for a week of competitions involving athletes from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the Interministerial Organizing Committee, Paul Bassey, commended Governor Eno for his investments in sports, citing the establishment of a standalone Ministry of Sports, provision of sporting equipment, rewards for medal-winning athletes and the employment of three outstanding athletes Edidiong Umoafia, Ruth Nyong and Enku Ekuta.
He expressed optimism that the 2026 Sports Festival would further boost talent discovery and sports development in Akwa Ibom State.
