The Akwa Ibom State government has made a significant investment in its sporting infrastructure, ending years of reliance on rented facilities for national and international competitions. This move includes the acquisition of top-tier equipment for grassroots sports and the grand opening of a new, cutting-edge gymnasium, aptly named “Ibom Gym.”
The commissioning ceremony, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw Engineer Uwem Okoko, Managing Director of Hensek Integrated Services Limited and President-General of the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative (AWHI), as the special guest of honour. Engr. Okoko lauded Governor Umo Eno for his “remarkable strides across critical sectors, particularly in sport,” and commended the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his dedication to the administration’s sports development agenda.
“We can now clearly see that Pastor Umo Eno, is a sports-loving and youth-friendly Governor. That is why we, as sports people, must not only utilise these facilities to sharpen our skills, but also use our voters’ cards in 2027, to return him to the Hilltop Mansion for a second term.”
The Ministry of Sports also showcased a comprehensive range of high-quality sports equipment and consumables, marking the first such procurement in over a decade. This follows Governor Eno’s directive last year to release funds for modern sports equipment to enhance the training of athletes and coaches.
Commissioner Bassey expressed his delight at the completion of this directive, challenging athletes to leverage these morale-boosting initiatives to secure victories in all upcoming competitions. Professor Ime Nyong George, Chairman of the International Worship Centre, also urged athletes and coaches to maximise the new equipment to hone their talents and improve performance, thereby rewarding the Governor’s investment with outstanding results.
Elder Bassey thanked Governor Eno for his commitment, describing him as a “promise-keeping and sports-loving leader.” He emphasised the importance of sport in daily life, stating that “Akwa Ibom athletes are now better positioned to compete favourably with their peers across the country and beyond.” He highlighted Ibom Gym, constructed by Julius Berger Plc, as a “first-of-its-kind signature project” and a key part of the Governor’s vision for sports development.
“For many years, our athletes lacked basic training equipment. Some had to subscribe to private gyms, while others were lured to other states with better facilities and ended up representing those states,” Bassey explained. He further noted that the sports industry offers a vital platform for young people to develop talents, gain employment, and inspire future generations.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, and the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh. Representing the athletes and coaches, Mr. Daniel Unoette, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Coaches’ Association, appealed for continued investment in coach training and retraining.
