YThe Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports and the Nigerian Army are exploring areas of cooperation that could expand sporting opportunities, improve physical fitness among military personnel and strengthen the discovery of athletes for state and national competitions.

The proposed collaboration emerged during a visit by the Commanding Officer of 6 Battalion, Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area, Lieutenant Colonel Ezekiel Yakubu Gyang, to the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, in Uyo.

Gyang said the battalion was preparing to organise sporting activities later in the year and wanted to draw on the ministry’s technical expertise to ensure their success.

He explained that the visit was intended to establish contact with the ministry, understand its operations and identify areas where both institutions could work together for mutual benefit.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would give the battalion access to the ministry’s experience in organising sporting competitions, while creating opportunities to promote physical fitness, teamwork and healthy competition among soldiers.

The Army commander also commended the ministry for organising the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, which brought together athletes from the state’s 31 local government areas.

He noted that the festival had provided a platform for identifying promising athletes whose talents could be developed for future representation of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at higher levels of competition.

Responding, Bassey welcomed the initiative, describing sports as an effective instrument for promoting discipline, unity, teamwork and physical well-being.

He assured the battalion of the ministry’s readiness to provide technical support for its proposed sporting activities, while exploring other areas of cooperation that could advance sports development in the state.

The commissioner said collaboration with institutions such as the Nigerian Army could strengthen grassroots sports development and widen opportunities for talent identification beyond conventional sporting structures.

For the battalion, the partnership could provide access to professional sports planning and technical guidance, while the ministry stands to extend its sports development initiatives to military personnel and explore additional avenues for discovering athletic potential.

The proposed cooperation is expected to provide a basis for further engagement between the two institutions on sporting activities, athlete development and physical fitness programmes.