Sports Recorder

GOVERNOR ENO BACKS ITAUMA, SAYS AKWA IBOM IS BEHIND HIM

By Mfon Patrick and Solomon OKPO

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has thrown his weight behind Akwa Ibom-born heavyweight boxer, Moses Itauma, ahead of his highly anticipated vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title fight against Filip Hrgovic at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, August 29.

Governor Eno, in a goodwill message conveyed by the State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described Itauma as a worthy ambassador of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria whose rapid rise in professional boxing has brought pride to the state and the country.

The Governor commended the young boxer for his dedication, courage and commitment to his career, noting that his achievements have placed Akwa Ibom prominently on the global boxing map.

He assured Itauma that he would not be alone when he enters the ring, stressing that the sporting community in Akwa Ibom and millions of Nigerians would be firmly behind him.

According to the Governor, the prayers, goodwill and support of Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom, will accompany Itauma as he takes on the major challenge in his burgeoning career.

Governor Eno urged the boxer, who has recorded 14 professional victories, including 12 knockouts, to remain focused, disciplined and confident throughout the encounter.

He expressed confidence in Itauma's ability and talent, charging him to approach the bout with determination and the winning mentality that has characterised his professional career.

“Akwa Ibom is behind you. Nigeria is behind you. Go forth and make us proud, Moses,” Governor Eno said, adding emphatically: “ARISE, Moses, ARISE!”

Itauma's father hails from Eket in Akwa Ibom State, while his mother is from Slovakia. Born and raised in Britain, the boxer has continued to identify with his Nigerian, Slovak and British heritage.

The Saturday bout is expected to attract significant attention from boxing fans, with Itauma seeking to further establish himself among the world's leading heavyweight contenders.
Eno to Itauma: Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Stand Firmly Behind You

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma of the unwavering support of the state and Nigeria ahead of his IBF heavyweight title clash with Filip Hrgovic in London on Saturday.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, Governor Eno praised Itauma's impressive professional record and described him as a worthy ambassador whose achievements continue to project Akwa Ibom on the international boxing stage.

The Governor urged the 14-fight unbeaten boxer, who has 12 knockouts to his name, to remain focused and disciplined while approaching the fight with confidence and determination.

He said the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians, especially the people of Akwa Ibom, would be with Itauma when he steps into the ring at the O2 Arena.

“Akwa Ibom is behind you. Nigeria is behind you. Go forth and make us proud, Moses,” Eno said. “ARISE, Moses, ARISE!”

Itauma, whose father is from Eket and mother from Slovakia, was raised in Britain and embraces his Nigerian, Slovak and British heritage.

SPORTS: Nnoli Visits Akwa Ibom Sports Commissioner After WAFU B U-20 Championship

By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder Desk

Nigeria U-20 and Akwa United defender, Somto Nnoli, has paid a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, following his return from the recently concluded WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

Nnoli was a key member of the Flying Eagles squad that represented Nigeria at the regional championship, where the team mounted an impressive campaign to reach the final. The young defender’s participation further highlighted the growing presence of Akwa Ibom talents in Nigeria’s national youth teams.

The Flying Eagles produced a strong performance throughout the tournament, overcoming their opponents on their way to the final before eventually finishing as runners-up. Nnoli’s involvement in the competition provided him with valuable international exposure and experience at the youth level.

During the courtesy visit, Nnoli was received by Elder Paul Bassey, who congratulated the young defender on his contribution to the national team’s campaign. The commissioner also commended him for representing Akwa Ibom and Nigeria with dedication and urged him to remain focused on his development and career.

The visit is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the state’s sports administration and young athletes making their mark at national and international levels.

Nnoli is now expected to return his attention to club football with Akwa United as he continues his development and seeks to establish himself as one of the promising defenders from Akwa Ibom.

SPORTS: Troost-Ekong Foundation Tournament Set To Unearth New Football Talents In Akwa Ibom

By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder Desk

UYO, The stage has been set for the 2026 Troost-Ekong Foundation Secondary Schools Football Tournament following the completion of the draws at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The competition, organised by the Troost-Ekong Foundation in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA), will bring together eight secondary schools in boys’ and girls’ categories, with more than 70 young footballers expected to participate.

The tournament will feature six matches, with the organisers positioning the competition not only as a sporting contest but also as a talent-development platform for young footballers.

Speaking during the event, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, described the partnership with the William Troost-Ekong Foundation as a significant step towards strengthening the revival of school sports in the state.

Umoh noted that the partnership had expanded the number of schools participating in the competition and commended the Akwa Ibom State Government under Governor Umo Eno, as well as the Ministry of Sports led by Elder Paul Bassey, for their continued support for sports development programmes.

Also speaking, Vice President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation and Director of Sports at the State Secondary Education Board, Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, described the tournament as an important initiative for identifying, tracking and nurturing emerging football talents.

He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board for approving the participation of the students, assuring that the competition would be conducted in accordance with established best practices in school sports.

Representing the Troost-Ekong Foundation, its Coordinator, Mr Bernard Ekong, said the tournament was part of the foundation's broader efforts to discover and develop young talents capable of representing Nigeria at the highest level.

According to him, the initiative was conceived by former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong as a pathway for identifying young players early, supporting their education and providing opportunities for them to develop their football abilities.
The draws, conducted by the Head of the AKSFA Technical Committee, Mr Obot Boniface, produced exciting semi-final pairings in both categories.

In the boys' category, Etinan Institute, Etinan, will face Community Secondary School, Ikot Oku Ubo, at 2pm on Thursday, August 27, while St. Brian College, Uyo, will battle Apostolic Secondary School, Ikot Oku Nsit, at 4pm.
The boys' final is scheduled for September 1 at 3pm.

In the girls' category, Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, will take on Secondary School, Adadia, at 2pm on Friday, August 28, while Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Ishiet, will confront Community Secondary School, Ikot Oku Ikono, at 4pm.
The girls' final will be played on September 1 at 1pm.
All matches will be held at the Uyo Township Stadium.

The organisers also announced additional support for the participating schools, with each team expected to receive sports equipment and financial assistance towards logistics during the tournament.

The foundation explained that participating schools were selected from those that were available and ready to compete during the holiday period, following consultations with several schools.

Importantly, the organisers confirmed that the tournament is not intended to be a one-off event. The competition will form part of the Troost-Ekong Foundation's long-term youth development initiatives.

With the tournament combining football, education and talent development, organisers believe it could provide a sustainable pathway for promising young players in Akwa Ibom to progress from school football to higher levels of the sport while remaining committed to their education

MOC Fixes Uyo Venues For 2026 Sports Festival

By Solomon OKPO | Uyo

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has intensified preparations for the state-wide sporting event, with plans to introduce digital registration, expand the sporting calendar and strengthen the quality of officiating.

The committee disclosed this on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during a strategic meeting attended by members of the State Executive Council and senior officials of the Ministry of Sports.

The meeting, chaired by the Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the MOC, Elder Paul Bassey, focused on key modalities for ensuring a well-organised, competitive and successful festival involving athletes from all 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

Elder Bassey announced that an online registration portal had been created to enable athletes and officials from the various local government areas to register digitally ahead of the competition.

He also disclosed that golf would be introduced into the festival's sporting calendar, while stressing that at least 10 local government areas must indicate interest in a particular sporting event before it would be included in the final programme.

According to him, the official commencement date of the festival is awaiting approval from the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who had earlier endorsed the hosting of the 2026 edition.

The Sports Commissioner explained that the festival would be concluded before the commencement of the 2026/2027 academic session in September to ensure that the sporting activities do not interfere with the state's academic calendar.

The MOC further resolved that the festival would be hosted at venues within Uyo, the state capital, to enhance effective supervision, monitoring and tracking of participating athletes and events.

In a bid to improve the standard and professionalism of officiating, the committee also disclosed plans to engage qualified technical officials from neighbouring states.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien; Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umana; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Inibehe Silas; Secretary of the MOC and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, as well as directors in the Ministry.

Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Hon. Nsikak Ekong; and Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga.

The committee urged all the 31 Local Government Areas to commence necessary preparations and put appropriate structures in place ahead of the festival.

It assured that the MOC and Local Organising Committee (LOC) would sustain consultations with relevant stakeholders to deliver a memorable sporting fiesta capable of discovering, nurturing and promoting young talents across the state.

The initiative is also expected to provide athletes from the local government areas with a competitive platform to showcase their abilities while contributing to the development of a sustainable grassroots sports system in Akwa Ibom.

The next meeting of the committee is expected to involve the chairmen of the 31 Local Government Areas, as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 edition.

AKWA IBOM TABLE TENNIS STARS ADD TO STATE’S GROWING MEDAL HAUL

By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder

Sports Commissioner Bassey hails athletes, coach and Governor Eno’s support for sports renaissance
Akwa Ibom State’s growing success in sports received another boost as two table tennis players from the state returned with medals from the 6th Offiong Edem Table Tennis Foundation Championship held in Calabar, Cross River State.

The athletes, Bright Aniekan Bassey and Ofonime Moses Edoama, won silver and bronze medals respectively at the championship, which took place from August 13 to 15, 2026, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The duo were on Tuesday, August 18, received by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who expressed delight over their outstanding performance and commended them for their hard work, discipline and determination to secure podium finishes.

Elder Bassey also applauded the State Table Tennis Coach, Sir Aniefiok Alexander, for his commitment to developing athletes and creating opportunities for them to compete at high-level tournaments. He noted that the emergence of successful athletes in table tennis and other sporting disciplines was evidence that the state’s sports sector was experiencing a significant transformation under the administration of Governor Umo Bassey Eno.

The Commissioner said the progress recorded across different sporting disciplines demonstrated the impact of the Governor’s support for sports development in the state.
“For every opportunity I have, I will appreciate His Excellency the Governor for the sports renaissance that is going on in the state through his support,” Elder Bassey said.

He recalled that when he assumed office as Commissioner for Sports, football appeared to dominate the state’s sporting landscape, but said the administration had deliberately created room for other sports to thrive.
“When I was appointed the Commissioner for Sports, football dominated, but now other sports are breathing and breathing well,” he stated.

Elder Bassey further cited the recent performance of three Akwa Ibom indigenes and products of the state’s sports festival at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as further evidence of the growing impact of the state’s investment in sports.
Earlier, while presenting the medal-winning athletes to the Commissioner, Coach Aniefiok Alexander expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Sports and Elder Bassey for the support that enabled the athletes to participate in the Calabar championship.

The latest medals add to the growing list of sporting achievements being recorded by Akwa Ibom athletes and reinforce the state government’s renewed emphasis on developing talents beyond football and positioning sports as a major avenue for youth empowerment, excellence and state pride.

Sports Commissioner To Grace Troost Ekong Foundation Schools Football Tournament Finale
-- Elder Paul Bassey to join dignitaries as grassroots football initiative reaches climax

By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder Desk

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, is expected to grace the grand finale of the Troost Ekong Foundation Football Tournament for secondary schools scheduled to hold on September 1, 2026.

The invitation was formally presented to the Commissioner during a visit to his office on Monday, August 17, by Mr Bernard Ekong, a member of the tournament’s Board of Trustees (BOT).

The tournament, organised in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA), is part of a grassroots sports development initiative by former Super Eagles captain, William Troost Ekong, aimed at giving back to society and creating opportunities for young football talents.

The initiative has brought together secondary schools from across the state, with competitions featuring both male and female categories. It is designed to identify promising young footballers and provide them with a platform to develop their skills and pursue opportunities in the sport.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, has commended the Troost Ekong Foundation for its commitment to grassroots football development.

Umoh also confirmed that the necessary playing kits had been delivered as preparations intensify for the grand finale, which is expected to attract stakeholders and football enthusiasts from across the state.

NFF sacks Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu and technical crew after WAFCON failure

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Akwa Ibom Squash Team Emerges Overall Best At National Championship

By Solomon OKPO | Sports Recorder Desk

Akwa Ibom State has announced its growing dominance in junior squash, emerging as the overall best-performing team at the 7th National Squash Championship held at the Abuja National Stadium.

Team Akwa Ibom produced an impressive haul of 10 medals , five gold, two silver and three bronze to finish top of the championship, which attracted junior squash players from different states across Nigeria.

The state dominated several junior categories, winning gold medals in the U-11 Boys, U-13 Boys, U-13 Girls, U-17 Boys and U-17 Girls categories. The team also claimed silver medals in the U-11 Boys and U-17 Boys events, while bronze medals came in the U-11 Girls and U-13 Girls categories.

The championship featured male and female players competing across the U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 categories. Akwa Ibom presented a 14-player contingent comprising eight male and six female athletes, with the team led by coach Ibanga Etukudo.

Reacting to the outstanding performance, Engineer Iniobong Esuene, a board member of the Nigerian Squash Federation and Vice Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Squash Association, described the achievement as a major milestone for the sport in the state.

Esuene said the performance was particularly significant because it marked the first time in a long while that Akwa Ibom had emerged victorious at a national squash championship. He described it as “the best result ever in the history of squash in our state.”

The team's impressive showing has also opened the door to further national opportunities for the young athletes. Thirteen of the 14 Team Akwa Ibom players have received invitations to participate in the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Tournament in Abeokuta and the National Racquet Festival in Ibadan, both scheduled to take place later this year.

The Abuja triumph is a strong indication that sustained investment in grassroots sports is beginning to produce tangible results in Akwa Ibom. Beyond the medals, the emergence of a strong crop of young squash players provides the state with a platform for continued development and national representation.

With 10 medals already secured and invitations to two major national competitions, Team Akwa Ibom's performance represents a significant breakthrough for squash development in the state and adds another promising chapter to Akwa Ibom's emerging sports renaissance.

NFF BOARD SHOULD RESIGN AND STEP ASIDE AS NIGERIA FOOTBALL SLIDES DEEPER INTO CRISIS

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board must seriously consider resigning and stepping aside following what has become one of the most disappointing periods in Nigerian football.

I am a concerned football observer.
The recent failures across various national teams, can no longer be dismissed as isolated setbacks or blamed solely on players and coaches.

For a country with Nigeria’s rich football tradition, the repeated disappointments demand accountability, honest assessment and a fundamental rethink of how the game is administered.
The situation is particularly disturbing when viewed across the different national teams.

Nigeria’s failure to secure qualification for the senior men’s FIFA World Cup has been followed by disappointing results at other levels, including the men’s U-20 side losing its championship to Burkina Faso and failing to secure the expected progress towards the U-20 World Cup.

The women’s teams have also faced major challenges, leaving Nigerian football supporters wondering what has gone wrong with a system that once produced consistent continental and global success.

The contrasting fortunes of the Falconets, who remain Nigeria’s representatives at the World Cup, should be recognised, but one positive development cannot conceal the broader structural problems.

In my opinion the NFF should stop relying on Nigeria’s past glory as a shield against legitimate criticism and instead focus on building a transparent, accountable and sustainable football system.

“This is not the time to celebrate what we achieved yesterday; it is time to ask why we are struggling today and what must be done to succeed tomorrow,” he said.

I strongly called for a comprehensive review of the federation’s leadership, technical structures, grassroots development, youth competitions, coaching systems and player development programmes, stressing that if the present NFF Board can no longer provide the needed direction, the honourable thing to do is to resign and allow fresh leadership to take Nigerian football forward.