Sports development in Akwa Ibom State charted a new course on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 when 26 boards were inaugurated to re-position sports in the state and sustain the excellence so far achieved which has ensured that the state remains at the echelon of Nigerian sports.
Not even the morning showers could deter sports enthusiasts and stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State Sports as they thronged the Uyo Stadium venue of the inauguration with high hopes and expectations as the new boards took off with style, pomp and pageantry.
The inauguration of the boards comes at a time Akwa Ibom State sports has become a rallying point of sports tourism in Nigeria and abroad in line with the vision of the uncommon transformation of Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) an enigma, who has shown genuine commitment to the renaissance of sports in the state since 2007.
As such, the task before the various associations which is characterized with men and women of proven integrity remains daunting but with the level of confidence shown by these selected stakeholders at the helm of these associations, it is believed that the exchange of baton and the new horizon will usher greater opportunities for the state.
According to the Director of Sports in the Bureau of Youth and Sports Coach Aniedi Dickson, whose commitment and achievements in the sports sector in the state remains unparallel, the inauguration of the boards comes at a time the National Under 17 Youth Festival is coming up in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is the maiden edition which Akwa Ibom State has already ensured that its appearance at the competition will be remarkable as it intends to finish on a high note.
The winning Director as Coach Aniedi Dickson is fondly called further stated that the National Under 17 youth games will feature 14 sports which the state will feature in all as the National Sports Commission seeks to re-discover new talents as we begin the countdown to the next Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil 2016 after the flop of the Team Nigeria at London 2012.
Akwa Ibom State over the years evolved to become an emergency factor in Nigerian sports, especially with regards to the National Sports Festivals held in Rivers State in 2011 and Lagos State in 2012 which the state sustained its status among the top ten states of the federation.
Despite the inadequate facilities on ground and with great expectations when the 30,000 Olympic Seated Stadium is completed, the state athletes have continued to remain focused and successful in their outing.
The Weightlifting Association in the state remains outstanding at recent national and international events guided with the professional experience of an Olympian, Lawrence IquaIbom, a director in the sports Bureau and board member of the Association at the National level.
Weightlifting at Rivers 2012 won Nine Gold medals for the state and recently in June 2013, the sport gave the state 12 gold medals at a national competition.
Boxing has produced the likes of Samuel Peter who went on to become a world champion, while Track and field has produced the likes of Aniefiok Udobong and Olympic Medalist just to mention a few.
Only recently, the two weeks camping for athletes discovered at the Mobil Secondary Scool athletics championship has ensured that the wholly indigenous team of athletes are groomed by the multinational oil giant as the state works forwards harness and exposing the talents that abound in the state.
It was also heartening to see the pride of the state and great Paralympian Unyime Uwak who represented Nigeria at the Paralympics recently in the 100 and 200 meters receive accolades at the board inauguration.
One notable interest in the new associations is the traditional sports popularly called, Dambe where the state performed excellently at EKO 2012 and the inclusive of non-indigenous as board members further distinguishes the fact that members were selected to come on board based on merit and previous successful antecedents which will steer our sports to greater heights.
The commitment of the Special Adviser on sports, Engr. Sam Frank who described the inauguration as significant, strategic and an important resolve to succeed.
According to Engr. Sam Frank, the Bureau of Sports and Youth Development and the state sports council are committed to Grassroots sports development with the cardinal objective of discovering and nurturing of national and international championships.
From the terms of references given the different associations, the task at hand in the next three years remains a call to serve our fatherland and we are on the threshold of history as we seek to consolidate on the gains of the previous boards.
It is yet another opportunity to change the face of sports facilities in the state, providing more facilities including a tartan track for the budding track and field athletes.
All over the world, apart from swimming and gymnastics, track and field provides a major haul of medals at any national or international event of course. The glamour it carries especially in determining the sprints champion.
The new sports associations must ensure that ideas, policies and adequate funding in their sectors are provided to uplift our basket ball courts, Table Tennis
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