By Ogenyi Ogenyi
At least 3,000 athletes from across the 31 Local Councils are gathered in more than 10 sporting centres to compete for honours at the 10th Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival which got underway in Uyo yesterday.
This is even as the state government has announced plans to integrate the winners and those who were exceptional in their performances during the games into the upcoming Sports Academy for extensive grooming and adequate exposure.
The festival which was declared open yesterday by Governor Umo Enol at the Uyo Township stadium, with theme,: “Nurturing talents, promoting tourism.”would feature 18 games including football, athletics,judo, karate, swimming, Chess,boxing, weightlifting,basketball, badminton, golf and others.
At the occasion, Eno said the festival was aimed at discovering talents, and showcasing the state’s potential in the global sports arena.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi urged the athletes to put their talents and skills on full display and show the spirit of sportsmanship.
“We must discover new talents, grow and expose them to the agents and managers at different levels and see them blossom and grow like others are currently doing across the sporting world.
“This sports festival is aimed at discovering those talents who would eventually fly the flag of our dear state and bring us laurels. As I said when the games torch was handed over to me a little over a week ago, sports today is a multi-billion global industry.” He saud.
He attributed lack of modern equipment as one of the major reasons for the inability of the state to win laurels at major national and international sporting events and said the state government has purchased world-class sporting equipments that would help athletes to develope optimally.
He expressed optimism that with the availability of sporting tools and facilities; there would be a total turnaround as Akwa Ibom youths would be equipped to compete and conquer the world in various sporting activities.
Earlier in a welcome address, State Sports Commissioner Mr Paul Bassey said the Ministry has a mandate to discover talents and nurture them for the Ibom Sports Academy.
While thanking the governor for creating a standalone Ministry of Sports and show of passion in sports development! Bassey said the success of the festival was the support and collaborations of council chairmen and other stakeholders.
