Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged sustained investment in sports and talent development as athletes emerging from the state’s annual sports festival increasingly feature in national and international competitions.
The commitment was renewed on Sunday as Itu Local Government Area retained the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival title, amassing 108 medals comprising 59 gold, 33 silver and 16 bronze at the 2026 edition.
Uruan Local Government finished second, while Etinan took third position at the competition, which ended with the closing and medals presentation ceremony at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Governor Umo Eno, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said the festival had begun producing athletes capable of representing the state at major competitions beyond Akwa Ibom.
According to him, athletes discovered through the festival have already competed at national and international events, including the Commonwealth Games and Niger Delta Games, where they won medals.
He assured athletes and other stakeholders that his administration would sustain investment in sports development, talent discovery and the systematic nurturing of young athletes for higher-level competitions.
The Governor said the emerging results had demonstrated the value of the annual festival, which his administration introduced in 2025.
Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the Ministerial Organising Committee, Paul Bassey, said the performance of athletes discovered through the inaugural edition had justified the decision to institutionalise the festival.
Bassey identified the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Sports as another major step towards strengthening sports administration and developing sporting talents in the state.
He also presented some Akwa Ibom athletes who represented the state at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, where they contributed to the state’s medal haul.
Cash incentives were subsequently presented to athletes who distinguished themselves at the Niger Delta Games in recognition of their performances.
The 2026 festival climaxed with the presentation of trophies and medals to the leading local government teams, with Itu emerging champion for the second consecutive year.
