Athletes who won medals at the recently concluded Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival have been rewarded by Governor, Pastor Umo Eno with significant cash incentives, depending on the colour of their medals, Completesports.com reports.
Similarly, Akwa Ibom athletes who excelled at the National Youth Games (NYG), held in Asaba, Delta State, also received cash rewards from Governor Eno.
Breakdown Of Rewards
According to Completesports.com findings, athletes who won gold medals at either the National Youth Games or the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival were each rewarded with ₦500,000 by Governor Eno.
Silver medallists received ₦250,000, while bronze medallists went home with ₦150,000 each.
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The Governor made the announcement during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival in Uyo over the weekend.
Governor Eno’s Commitment To Sports Development
“We are rewarding all the gold medallists with ₦500,000 each, ₦250,000 for silver medallists and ₦150,000 for bronze medallists,” Governor Eno stated.
He further explained that the state is investing heavily in sports through the Sports Academy in Eket:
“We will train them further at the Sports Academy in Eket, an ambitious and strategic investment aimed at discovering, preparing, and exposing our youths to compete in sporting events, utilising modern sporting equipment purchased for the Academy.”
Over 3,600 Youths Participated
The Governor revealed that 3,600 athletes, representing all 31 local government areas of the state, competed in 18 individual sports and five team sports during the festival.
“The event, from all indications, has been a huge success,” he added.
Eno Reviving Inter-School Competitions
Governor Eno tasked the Ministerial Organising Committee to partner with the State Ministry of Education in reviving inter-house sports across schools.
He emphasised that inter-secondary school sports competitions were once a fertile ground for discovering future stars and must be brought back.
Eno Promotes Sports And Tourism Synergy
The Governor reiterated his administration’s vision of promoting sports alongside tourism:
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“The theme of this Festival – Nurturing Talents, Promoting Tourism – captures our strategic vision. Tourism is a key plank of this administration as we prepare our State for growth beyond oil.”
He disclosed that the state plans to commission the Arise Resorts in December, featuring a 9-hole golf course and modern sports pavilions.
Governor Eno’s Commendations And Awards
Governor Eno congratulated all the athletes, praising their determination and sportsmanship. He also appreciated the organising committee, local government chairmen, and sports supervisors for their commitment.
Itu LGA, Uyo LGA, and Nsit Atai LGA emerged first, second, and third respectively at the festival, receiving trophies at the closing ceremony.
By Sab Osuji
