The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports has received a delegation from the South South Zonal office, led by Mr. Njoku Peter, on an inspection tour of sports facilities across the state in readiness for the zonal elimination this weekend aimed at ensuring that the facilities meet the required standards for the competition even as Sports Commissioner Elder Paul Bassey credits Governor Umo Eno for all the positives sportswise.
The Ministry’s Director of Sports, Mrs. Bridgid Otton, took the delegation on a tour of various sports facilities which include; West Itam Sports Centre, QIC Secondary School, Community Secondary Commercial School, Aka Community Secondary School, and the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The team also visited the Uyo Township Stadium, which will host male and female football matches.
After the inspection, the Zonal Team Lead, Mr. Njoku Peter, expressed satisfaction with the state of the facilities, saying that Akwa Ibom State is fully ready to host the South South youth elimination games.
In an interview, Mr. Peter said that the purpose of their visit was to inspect the facilities in preparation for the elimination games and that they were impressed with the condition of the venues.
“We have toured round the venues, and I can ascertain that Akwa Ibom is fully ready to host the South South youth elimination games. All the facilities are in good shape and condition,” he said.
The delegation concluded their inspection with a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who welcomed them to the state. Elder Bassey assured the team that all sports facilities would be ready to host the National youth games elimination and that a high powered committee had been set up to provide all logistics needed before, during and after the event. The Commissioner was all praise for His Excellency Gov Umo Eno who “even before he became governor had a blueprint for sports renaissance in the state hence the creation of a stand alone sports ministry.
“ We have received tremendous support from His Excellency in his avowed determination to place sports as a cardinal pillar of the Arise Agenda advantage the teeming youth population of the state.
He also expressed his gratitude to the team for their visit and prayed for a successful hosting of the event.
The delegation present were, the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Njoku Peter, Assistant Zonal Coordinator, Mr. David Ogunjimi; and Zonal Staff, Mrs. Okoi Christiana.
The inspection tour demonstrates the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State Government to hosting a successful South South Zonal elimination. With the facilities in good shape and condition, the state is poised to deliver a memorable event that will showcase the talents of young athletes from across the region.
The high point of the event was the group photograph with the Honourable Commissioner and management staff.
