In a bid to scout for athletes in Akwa Ibom, the governor, pastor Umo Eno has directed the Ministry of Sports to ensure the reviving of inter-house sports and competitions across schools in the state.
He said the initiative would create room for talent discovery across different disciplines in sports adding that the Sports Academy underway would complement the drive.
The Commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey who disclosed this during an inter Ministerial media briefing in Uyo on Friday also called for stronger private-sector collaboration, particularly in disciplines beyond football such as chess, boxing, swimming, wrestling, weightlifting, athletics, judo and karate.
Bassey said the academy would at the first instance focus on selected sports in which the state has demonstrated strength, while the broader sports strategy would cover athletes, coaches, schools, clubs, sports medicine, physiotherapy, analytics, player management, sponsorship, broadcasting and merchandising.
He also hinted that the state government has approved monthly allowances for performing athletes and financial rewards for medal winners.
“His Excellency, the governor has directed the ministry to explore reviving inter-school and inter-house sports for talent discovery. He also called for stronger private-sector participation, particularly in disciplines beyond football.” He said.
The Commissioner said the state recorded it’s best performance in the 2025 National Sports Festival where it competed in 22 sports and finished ninth among States.Other achievements he said include hosting the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, Judiciary Games and Niger Delta Games; participating in the 2025 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta; procuring sporting equipment and creating a database of athletes’ performances and timings.
