Sports is a strong tool for national development and unity. It enhances economic growth, creates an ambience in promoting tourism and culture, offers a platform in discovering talents and showcases the abundance of facilities for optimal output.
In Akwa Ibom, the Month of September is significant in the development of the State. It is our Anniversary Month, a very special season graced with milestone activities building on the legacies of our growth in all sectors.
The 38th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State heralds the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, the first under the administration of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD., the Sports loving Governor of Akwa Ibom State whose tenure has witnessed the hosting of several national and international events.
For a Governor who hit the ground running with the ARISE Agenda of his administration where sports has come to be a strong component of this sectoral growth with laudable strides and achievements in just two years including sustaining the State as the home of the Super Eagles in all the World Cup Qualifiers, hosting of the maiden Niger Delta Development Commission Games, hosting of the Zonal elimination series for the National Youth Games , creation of a stand alone Sports Ministry of Sports and the Governor’s Cup for all 31Local Government Areas after more than ten years in the cold.
There is an Eighth Wonder of the World waiting to be unveiled in December 2025 as Nigeria’s most sort after resort, the ARISE PARK finally opens to the public with great sporting features including a Nine Hole Golf Course, Football Pitch, Tennis Courts, Basketball, Squash, Volleyball, handball, beach volleyball Courts.
There is also the ARISE Sports Academy which when completed will be a complete institution combining education with sports within a conducive environment that would mould athletes into stardom. All these, within two years. Governor Umo Eno is a promise keeper.
The sports loving Governor has further matched words with action giving approval for the Ministry of Sports to overhaul and buy new sporting state of the art facilities that would enhance, motivate and bring more laurels to Akwa Ibom State. This feat, the first in the last 14 years clearly shows that the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno is carefully laying a new foundation for the new making and rising of future Champions.
With an array of abundant raw talents scattered across the 31 Local Government Areas, the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival also dubbed the Akwa Ibom Olympics opens the State to the global sporting community, scouts, private sector partners and our excited talents ready to burn the tracks, jump for glory, engage in combat sports with high moments in glory and low moments in losses, chasing new dreams, engaging the youths who will be the bulk of the athletes positively, boosting socio economic activities during this period and the beginning of a new future beckoning on a generation of world class stars.
The Games will be another litmus platform to consolidate on the Akwa Ibom Unity. The Unique Selling Point of Governor Umo Eno who has ensured that for the first time in our dear State, the political structure is united for progress and development.
Beyond the Games, our teeming youths will make new friends, build stronger bonds, create lasting impressions, share ideas for more glory, become more constructive with their talents and fulfilled dreams of maximising their potentials on the grandest stage of sporting excellence.
From September 8-13, 2025, athletes will feature from all 31 Local Government Areas in Eighteen Sports including handball, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Athletics.
Other Sports include Boxing, Chess, Darts, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Scrabble, Squash, Taekwondo, Para- Athletics, Weightlifting and Wrestling with over 3600 competitors aiming to mount the podium of glory.
After six days of excitement, the state of sporting interests will be on the high. It is time to build on the gains of this Sports Festival, it is the beginning of a walk back to the echelon of Nigerian sports. With the ARISE Agenda template, preparation, planning and execution will usher successes as the search for the future Enefiok Udobong’s, Katerine Ekuta’s, Imaobong Uko’s, Comfort James,Lawrence IquaIbom’s, Vincent Eyeama’s has started.
The unveiling of the Games Mascot with distinguishing features on our vitaility, energy and unity on August 28, 2025 kick started the journey to this Modern ‘’ Home” Olympics with the Main Organising Committee led by the Honorable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul ‘’ Sports’’ Bassey along with his colleagues Frank Archibong, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aniekan Umanah, Information Commissioner, Anieti Udofia, Culture and Tourism, Ekerete Ekanem, Youth, Emem Ibanga, Humanitarian Affairs, Inibehe Silas, Women Affairs and Ubong Essien, Education. Others include Rosemary Ubia, Permanent Secretary, Sports James Edet, Permanent Secretary, Information and Ekerete Udoh, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
The Association of Local Government Chairmen led by Dr. Uwemedimo Udo has been fantastic in mobilising his colleagues in driving the vision of the Games in which the centre point lies at the grassroots.
With the Torch of Unity Officially presented on Friday, August 29,2025 to Governor Umo Eno and touring all 31 Local Government Areas, the aim of the Games to foster unity, love and development opens a new vistas for talent hunt and a renewed commitment of reengineering grassroot sports for national and international limelight.
The Akwa Ibom Sports Festival is another testament of a promised fulfilled, a future of opportunities and the greatness of a people blessed by God.
Indeed, Akwa Ibom is Rising
Let the Games Begin.
*Comrade Amos Etuk is the Senior Special Assistant To The Governor on Local Media
