By Akanimo Kufre
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports, led by the Commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey, on Tuesday officially launched new sports equipment and the Ibom Gym at the Nest of Champions, Uyo amid commendation.
Excited Sports coaches and athletes commended the Commissioner and Gov. Umo Eno for transforming their status from renting equipment for tournaments to owners of top quality ones.
The Chairman of Coaches Association in the State, Coach Daniel Umoette, appreciated Elder Bassey for aligning with the Governor’s ARISE Agenda through sports development.
“People say they have not seen this in the last 20 years. I have been active in Akwa Ibom State Sports since 1998. I can confidently say that I have never witnessed anything of this nature. It takes a leader who prioritizes the welfare of his people to achieve this. The sports industry provides opportunities for every category of persons. Even a blind or lame person can be useful”, he said.
In addition to the multi-million naira worth of individual and team sports equipment donations, the state-of-the-art gym, designed for athletes’ development, was commissioned by Engr. Uwem Okoko.
Most of the equipment, sourced internationally, meet global standards, impressing the construction expert and campaign leader for Tinubu and Eno.
“I thank the governor for his investment in sports, and I also thank God for the driver of the Governor’s vision, Elder Paul Bassey. Creating a gym is a commendable initiative. This is something that was missing. Sports is a high-income generating sector, considering the revenue athletes attract to their countries. For instance, one football match attracted N200 million”, Okoko stated.
Approximately 42 registered sports associations, including cricket, cycling, golf, and rugby, benefited from the equipment presentation initiative.
It has been 21 years since Akwa Ibom State’s sports sector last received substantial equipment donations from the Ministry of Sports, with wrestling still awaiting equipment from the Sports Ministry.
The ace sports journalist turned administrator and FIFA official, Bassey, attributed the mandate to discover raw sports talents from the grassroots to global stardom.
“It is our firm belief that the sports equipment and the gymnasium we are commissioning today will significantly enhance our athletes’ stamina, skills, and techniques, and help produce global stars, superstars, and legends such as former Super Eagles captains Vincent Enyeama and William Troost-Ekong; Olympians Lawrence Iquaibom, Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Enefiok Udobong, Utitofon Nkanta (nee Uko); 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medalist Ndifreke Effiong; and the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Gabriel Okon, among many others too numerous to mention.”
The event was attended by Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Everett Ekanem, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, and Chairmen of sports associations, including Prof. Emem Bassey, Cricket, and Dr. Iniobong Essien for Scrabble association.
