The Cross River State Sports Commission has announced plans to stage the third edition of the Queens Cup in 2026, as Governor Bassey Otu moves to strengthen sports development with increased funding and infrastructure upgrades.
The governor has approved an increase in monthly subvention for Pelican Stars FC from ₦5 million to ₦15 million, a move aimed at improving the club’s performance and supporting women’s football in the state.
In addition, the government has outlined plans to upgrade facilities at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, including renovation of the state box and broader improvements across the stadium complex.
Chairman of the Sports Commission, Etta Lawrence Itanya, disclosed these developments on Wednesday during the unveiling of the Queens Cup tournament. He described the competition as a key initiative championed by the governor’s wife, Eyoawan Bassey Otu, to promote female participation in sports.
According to Itanya, the tournament will feature about 36 teams and incorporate seven additional sporting activities, with a focus on empowering the girl child and encouraging grassroots talent development across the state.
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He explained that the Queens Cup is designed not only as a competition but as a platform for talent discovery and social impact, providing opportunities for young female athletes while supporting vulnerable groups, including the less privileged and the elderly.
The chairman added that players identified during the tournament could serve as a feeder pool for regional and national teams, including pathways linked to the Nigerian Football Federation.
He further noted that the tournament’s grand finale is expected to coincide with the birthday celebration of the governor’s wife, adding a symbolic dimension to the event.
Itanya called on private and government-backed teams to register for the competition at no cost and urged participants to uphold discipline and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The unveiling ceremony attracted key stakeholders, including members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, local government officials, women groups, club owners and promoters of female sports.
The initiative highlights Cross River’s growing investment in sports development, with a strong emphasis on women’s participation, youth empowerment and infrastructure renewal.
