One 12 months after his appointment as Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports activities, veteran journalist and soccer administrator Paul Bassey is being credited with revitalising the state’s sporting sector by way of reforms, competitions, and infrastructure tasks.
Bassey, a former CAF official, was nominated by Governor Umo Eno and confirmed by the Akwa Ibom State Home of Meeting, formally taking workplace on February 24, 2025. He grew to become the primary commissioner of the newly created Ministry of Sports activities, which was carved out from the previous Ministry of Youth Improvement and Sports activities.
Since assuming workplace, Bassey has overseen a variety of actions, from grassroots competitions to upgrades in amenities and athlete welfare initiatives. One of the early highlights of his tenure was the profitable internet hosting of the inaugural Niger Delta Video games in 2025. The commissioner performed a hands-on function in preparations, overseeing logistics, facility enhancements, and strategic planning, serving to Akwa Ibom ship a historic first version of the match.
Following the occasion, a evaluation committee was established to evaluate Workforce Akwa Ibom’s efficiency and establish areas for enchancment in future competitions. Bassey additionally revived the Akwa Ibom Sports activities Pageant, a grassroots programme that had been dormant for seven years. The pageant returned in the final quarter of 2025 and has already develop into a platform for locating new expertise, with a number of rising athletes beginning to make an impression domestically and past.
Athlete welfare has been one other focus. Medalists from Akwa Ibom on the Nationwide Youth Video games have been rewarded on their return, boosting morale and demonstrating the federal government’s dedication to supporting sportspeople.
Infrastructure improvement has additionally been a precedence. In January 2026, the brand new ‘Ibom Fitness center’ facility on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium in Uyo was formally opened, offering athletes throughout a number of disciplines with enhanced coaching and conditioning programmes. The ministry additionally distributed sports activities tools to greater than 40 sports activities associations, overlaying basketball, volleyball, tennis, athletics, judo, taekwondo, and boxing. Bassey credited Governor Eno for funding the initiative and famous that a lot of the tools was sourced internationally to fulfill high requirements.
On the aggressive entrance, Workforce Akwa Ibom confirmed progress on the second Niger Delta Video games, ending fourth total with 55 medals – 16 gold, 17 silver, and 22 bronze – behind Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
The ministry has additionally strengthened its administrative capability by organising a three-day in-house coaching programme for workers, which acquired reward from the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters.
One other important improvement was the partnership between Akwa United F.C. and Ibom Air, offering improved journey logistics for away matches and boosting fan engagement and operational effectivity.
With additional tasks in the pipeline, together with new sports activities amenities at ARISE Resort and renewed consideration to the Ibom Sports activities Academy, the primary 12 months of Bassey’s tenure has laid a strong basis for the continued progress of sports activities in Akwa Ibom State.
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