UYO
As preparations intensify for the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival coming up in April, the Akwa Ibom commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has reaffirmed the State’s readiness to host the competition.
Bassey gave the reaffirmation after inspecting key sporting facilities, recently.
During the tour, the sports commissioner assessed various venues, including the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), Ikot Ada Idem, where he was received by the chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Churchill Udoh, and the rector, Professor Enoidem Usoroh.
Facilities inspected included the football field, as well as tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, a medical centre, male and female hostels, an indoor sports hall, and an auditorium.
With over 3,000 athletes expected from the nine Niger Delta States, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality of facilities and their capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 athletes.
He commended Governor Umo Eno for approving the festival, emphasising that it would highlight the State’s commitment to sports development and infrastructural investment.
At the West Itam Sports Centre, Bassey inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the handball, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, during which the facility manager, Victor Owokere, briefed him on the renovations and raised concerns about vandalism, urging improved security measures to protect the facilities.
Condemning the destruction of public infrastructure, the sports commissioner announced plans to establish a Stadium Management Committee to oversee proper maintenance and security of government-owned sports facilities.
He also assured that the rehabilitated West Itam Sports Centre would be properly managed beyond the festival, which is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 9, 2025.
The inspection team included all directors in the Ministry of Sports, led by the director of Sports, Mrs. Brigitte Oton.
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