The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has concluded with Itu Local Government Area emerging as the champion, topping the final medal table with 108 medals. The festival, which saw about 4,000 young athletes participate, marked a significant milestone in the state's sporting development. Governor Umo Eno announced a new initiative to develop young golfing talents, providing free training for 155 teenagers selected from the state's 31 local government areas.
Governor Eno's initiative aims to create a sustained pipeline for discovering and developing the next generation of Akwa Ibom athletes. The leadership and management of the Uyo Golf Club have agreed to take responsibility for grooming the young talents. Five young golfers will be selected from each of the state's 31 local government areas to receive free training ahead of next year's Sports Festival.
The 2026 festival saw a significant increase in competitive disciplines, rising from 18 to 27. The event demonstrated the growth of the state's sporting foundation, with a large turnout of young athletes. Governor Eno assured that medal winners and participating local government areas would receive recognition and rewards, as was done after the 2025 festival.
The captain of Ibom Golf Club, Isua Archibong, appreciated the government's inclusion of golf and support to develop the game to improve the tourism potential of Akwa Ibom State. He said the U16 boys and girls would be accepted for the golfing development and urged the LGA authorities to take advantage of the 18-hole Ibom Golf course and the Arise Plam Park 9 hole.
Uruan Local Government Area produced a strong challenge to finish runners-up with 83 medals, while Etinan placed third with 51. Uyo, the state capital, narrowly missed the podium with 50 medals, according to figures released by the Main Organising Committee. The result marked another landmark chapter for the festival, with the 2025 edition having Itu – Gold, Uyo – silver, while Nsit Atai finished bronze.
Governor Eno announced the programme through the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who represented him at the closing ceremony at the Uyo Township Stadium. The governor's administration is seeking to turn the festival from a four-year sporting showcase into a sustained pipeline for discovering and developing young athletes.
With 155 teenagers now set to receive structured golf training, the Eno administration is poised to make a significant impact on the state's sporting landscape. The festival's success has demonstrated the potential for sports development in Akwa Ibom State, and the government's initiatives aim to harness this potential to produce a new generation of athletes.
Key points
- Itu LG emerged champion of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival with 108 medals.
- Governor Eno announces free golf training for 155 teenagers selected from the state's 31 local government areas.
- The 2026 festival saw a significant increase in competitive disciplines, rising from 18 to 27.
