Itu Local Government Area has retained its title as the overall champion of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, with a total of 110 medals, including 61 gold, 33 silver, and 16 bronze. The festival, which took place over six days, saw 31 local government areas competing in various sporting disciplines. The grand finale was held at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday, where the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, presented the championship trophy to the Itu contingent.
The victory marks the second consecutive win for Itu, which also emerged as the champion in the 2025 edition of the festival. Prince Enobong Uwah, who represented Governor Umo Eno, commended the Itu athletes for their performance, discipline, and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. He described the feat as a demonstration of commitment and sporting excellence.
The Executive Chairman of Itu Local Government Council, Hon. Ubong Nkutt, played a significant role in the contingent's success, providing coordination and support throughout the competition. Nkutt congratulated the athletes and technical team for their determination and resilience, saying the victory demonstrated what could be achieved when young people were given the necessary support and encouragement.
The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival commenced on Tuesday, September 22, and featured athletes from the 31 local government areas competing in various sporting disciplines, including athletics, rugby, boxing, weightlifting, football, and volleyball. The festival aimed to promote sports development and create opportunities for young people to discover and develop their talents.
Speaking on the achievement, Nkutt said, "This victory belongs first to our athletes, coaches and everyone who contributed to the success of Team Itu. Their discipline, hard work and determination have once again brought honour to Itu Local Government. We are proud of them, and our administration will continue to support sports development and create opportunities for our young people to discover and develop their talents".
The back-to-back victory further establishes Itu as the dominant contingent in the revived state sports festival. The local government's commitment to sports development and its support for the contingent have been instrumental in its success. The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and has promoted unity and healthy competition among the local government areas.
The Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has become an annual event, promoting sports development and encouraging young people to participate in various sporting disciplines. The festival has also provided an opportunity for the state government to invest in sports infrastructure and promote the development of young athletes. With Itu's back-to-back victories, the local government area has set a high standard for other participants to emulate.
Key points
- Itu Local Government Area won 61 gold medals in the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
- The festival featured athletes from 31 local government areas competing in various sporting disciplines.
- Itu has retained its title as the overall champion of the festival for the second consecutive year.
