Akwa Ibom State government has announced plans to recruit winners and those who were exceptional in their performances at the sports festival in the state into the upcoming Sports Academy for extensive grooming and adequate exposure.

The governor of Akwa Ibom, pastor Umo Eno disclosed this on Monday, while declaring open the Sports festival at the Uyo Township stadium, themed: “Nurturing talents, promoting tourism.”

He said the festival was aimed at discovering talents, and showcasing the state’s potential in the global sports arena.

Governor Eno, 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.

His words, “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.”

The governor, however, 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.

He said the state government has gone ahead with the purchase of world-class sporting equipment which will help youths to train, compete and excel at international events.

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 his welcome address, the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Paul Bassey said the Ministry has a mandate to discover talents and nurture them for the Ibom Sports Academy.

He hinted that over 3000 athletes drawn across the 31 local government areas of the state would be competing in the 18 categories at different locations from Uyo and Eket Township Stadia to Tower of Ivory and Aka Community Secondary Schools.

While thanking the governor for creating a standalone Ministry of Sports and showing passion for sports development! Bassey said the success of the festival was the support and collaboration of council chairmen and other stakeholders.

Akwa Ibom to co-opt winners of Sports festival into Academy