Governor Umo Eno says more than 4,000 athletes are competing in the second edition of the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival across 27 sports. Mr Eno disclosed this while declaring open the annual sports festival on Tuesday in Uyo.

According to Mr Eno, sports play a significant role in his administration’s ARISE agenda, especially in developing and empowering youths.

“After the 2025  festival, we went on to expose our discovered athletes at the NDDC Games in Delta, where they shone like a million stars. We won 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze medals. I have asked the Commissioner for Sports Development to arrange for us to receive them,” the governor said.

Mr Eno said he had approved more financial incentives for the athletes, adding that they would receive their cheques.

“Since we hosted that festival, it has been success stories all over for our athletes. Especially the juniors who have gone ahead to excel in their different sports,” he said.

He also referred to the state’s weightlifting team, which competed in Egypt and emerged African champions, qualifying to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Mr Eno charged the athletes from the 31 local government areas to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and showcase their natural talents to excel in sports.

Paul Bassey, the sports commissioner, said the ministry had addressed some of the challenges encountered during the last edition and assured participants that the 2026 edition would be better.

“We have regulated registration, which we made online, to make sure that there is no foul play. All these hard-copy registrations were not good for us. We also have some regulations. If you competed for one local government in 2025, you cannot move this year. You need at least three years to be able to move,” Mr Bassey said.

The commissioner advised the athletes to shun drugs and compete with their natural abilities to achieve greatness in sports.

Mr Bassey said an athlete’s position in the festival was not the most important thing, but the potential demonstrated, which could be nurtured into greatness.

(NAN)