AKWA IBOM SOON TO EXPORT SPORTS STARS... Monday Uko, Sports Commissioner Declares

 By: Uduak Nseabasi 

As a direct impact of its much envisaged forthcoming maiden Youth Sports Festival for Primary/Secondary Schools, the Akwa Ibom State Government has predicted a regime of national, regional and international sports dominance, whereby it shall even export sports men and women to other countries of the world.

This Government position was handed down yesterday (Wednesday) by the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko during a World Press Conference to herald the 2017 Akwa Ibom State Youth Sports Festival he addressed at the Conference Hall of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. 

According to the Obot Akara born Sports helmsman, "The Youth Sports Festival itself is a clear testimony of His Excellency's commitment to sustainable development, passion for sports excellence and a catalytic framework to discover and nurture talents for global appreciation and marketing, while also affording us the opportunity to make genuine progress with the development of sports infrastructure in our Schools". 

Continuing, the former Council Chairman added that, "As a Government, we are worried that if we don't start now, we may soon go into sports extinction, yet glad that in a few years time of studious execution of this Festival, our State shall become the hub for global sporting activities, literally exporting stars to other parts of the world". Said he further, "so far, we have concluded the Local Government Qualifiers and have registered close to 7000 athletes for the Grand State Finals which shall commence with a uniquely packaged Opening Ceremony here at the Nest of Champions on Wednesday, 22 and runs through Sunday, 26th March 2017". 

On the efficacy of the Festival Management Team, the Commissioner who was flanked by Mr. Charles Udoh and Pastor Paul Alexander Udofia, his counterparts from the Ministries of Information and Education respectively, Elder Paul Bassey, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports Development/Secretary, Festival Working Committee, Coach Aniedi Dickson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth/Sports and Hon. Emmanuel Ibah, Chairman, State Football Association enthused thus, "To achieve this vision, The Governor earlier approved the constitution of a Central Working Committee made up of reputable sports administrators, Managers and promoters to plan, organise and deliver a world class sports Festival. 

A strong collaboration with the Ministries of Information, Health Services, Education and all their parastatals including State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) and the State Technical Schools Board (STSB) has also been achieved. Worthy of mention equally is the strong cooperation and support of Local Government Chairmen under the aegis of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)".

 He announced that from today (Thursday), the Festival Torch shall go round the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, and that a Central Draws ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, 20th March 2017 by 10am at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex, Uyo to formally herald the commencement of the Sports Festival, and determine fixtures, especially for the team games. 

While inviting the general public to attend the Draws ceremony and other events of the Festival, he noted that, " the State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Moses Ekpo is being expected as Guest of Honour, whereas the Draws event shall attract other ranking State officials, sports enthusiasts, Principals and participating athletes".