Sports
Gov. Eno Receives Akwa Ibom Sports Festival Torch
Ahead of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, which is billed to commence on September 13, 2025, Governor Umo Eno has received the unity torch for the festival.
Speaking while receiving the symbolic torch in his office at Government House, Uyo, Eno described the sports festival as a major avenue for raising sports talents and enhancing the quality of youth development in the state.
A statement obtained from Government House Press Unit in Uyo on Saturday, quoted the governor as saying that the state is determined to raise the next generation of superstars like William Troost-Ekong, Lionel Messi, Coco Gauff, and their likes, for the betterment of the State and the country at large.
Eno also reiterated his administration’s drive towards realising the vision of a sports academy, emphasising that his administration will continue to invest in discovering sports talents, developing the youth, and transforming the State’s sports sector,
“Sports development ties directly into Aspiration Two of the ARISE Agenda, reflecting our administration’s passion for youth empowerment, talent discovery, and healthy living.
“To provide a pathway for discovery and growth, the Government has approved the establishment of the Ibom Sports Academy in Eket.
“For the first time in 14 years, we have approved the purchase of modern sports equipment to give our athletes world-class tools to train, compete, and excel. Sports will now be a way of life for our talented youth,” the statement added.
The Governor said that through the ongoing sports festival, the state is confident that have the first intake that will be admitted into the new Sports Academy.
“This year’s theme for the festival: “Nurturing talents, promoting tourism” reinforces our vision by positioning sports, not only as a tool for youth development, but also as a driver for economic and tourism growth.”
He revealed that Akwa Ibom which boasts of facilities like the ARISE Resort and a world-class stadium, has steadily evolved into a premium destination for sports tourism in Nigeria and indeed West Africa.
He observed that the festival logo beautifully captures the spirit of unity, strength and youthful energy, adding that the figures in motion represent agility and teamwork and the colours reflect vitality and cultural pride, while the map of Akwa Ibom at the centre symbolises identity, ownership rooted in the people’s heritage.
“As we received the torch today, let it symbolise our collective strength and unity. Let it drive the “can-do spirit” of our youths, sportsmen and women to greater heights across the 31 Local Government Areas, party lines, gender lines, and ethnic lines. Sports is a barrier breaker and I expect no less as we commence this sports festival this year,” he stated.
While commending the State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, and his team, for the organisation of the event, he said his appointment as Commissioner, especially as an indigene of Eket, will help facilitate the establishment of the sports academy.
The Governor noted that Elder Bassey’s appointment as commissioner was not an Eket slot as members of the State Executive Council were appointed based on competence and capacity, not on the basis of local government of origin.
He, therefore, urged the contingents to work hard to win as they will be specially received at the end of the state-wide event by the Government.
Interacting with Government House Correspondents, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Bassey revealed that the sports festival is the first-of-its-kind to be held in the state in 18 years, as it incorporates both the young and older athletes, unlike the previous ones that were only held as youth sports festivals.
The State’s Sports Festival is billed to feature all shades of sports, both indoor and outdoor.
It’s no retreat, no surrender for Team Nasarawa as a 154-man contingent has landed in Ilorin, Kwara State, for the North Central Zonal Eliminations of the 9th National Youth Games.
The delegation, made up of athletes, coaches, sports secretaries, medical and media crew, security operatives, and top officials, left Lafia on Saturday and touched down in Ilorin with high hopes of conquering their zone.
Team Nasarawa will slug it out in five major sports—football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and hockey—against rivals from Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, and the FCT. The qualifiers are held from August 16 to 18, 2025, at the Kwara State Stadium, with the team departing on the 19th.
Director of Sports Organising, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Ubah Musa, who is leading the delegation, said the team is fired up to make the state proud.
“Our boys and girls are ready. They know what is at stake, and they will give everything to qualify for Asaba. The expectations are high from our governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and from the good people of Nasarawa State. We won’t disappoint,” Musa assured.
Winners from the zonal eliminations will fly the North Central flag at the National Youth Games proper, scheduled for August 26 to September 6 in Asaba, Delta State. All 36 states and the FCT will compete.
Since its inception in 2013, Team Nasarawa has never missed an edition of the Games, and this year, they say it’s “all or nothing.”
Nigeria has stepped up its push to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games with a high-level meeting in London between officials of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
According to a press statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, the delegation, led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, met CGF executives to discuss Nigeria’s expression of interest, submitted earlier this year, and to review the next stage of the bidding process.
The team also included NSC Director-General Bukola Olapade, NOC President and International Olympic Committee executive member Habu Gumel, NOC Vice-President Solomon Ogba, and Secretary-General Tunde Popola, alongside technical experts and advisors.
Talks in London centred on the country’s objectives for staging the Games, as well as requirements for the final bid.
According to the NSC, issues discussed included the Code of Conduct for candidate cities, communication protocols, timelines, and the expectations of the federation.
The CGF has recently introduced new measures aimed at making the event more sustainable and affordable for hosts. Nigerian officials said the meeting was an opportunity to align the country’s vision with those reforms.
Highlighting the domestic context, the NSC said the delegation presented the reforms underway in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, which places hosting major sporting events at the centre of national economic and cultural development.
“The NSC believes hosting the Commonwealth Games will deliver immense value to Nigeria,” the commission said, stressing that the event would contribute to wealth creation “across sports, diplomacy, economy, culture, and social development.”
Nigeria is now expected to prepare its final submission before the August 31 deadline.
Officials said the document would be forwarded subject to presidential approval, with the CGF scheduled to announce its decision before the end of the year.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers will look to seal a perfect group-stage record when they face Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in their final Group B clash at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket on Sunday in Luanda, The Tidesports source reports.
The game at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda tips off at 5:30pm Nigerian time, with victory guaranteeing Nigeria top spot and direct passage to the quarter-finals on August 20 and defeat leaving them vulnerable to dropping into the qualification placement round a day earlier.
The D’Tigers have opened their campaign in style, brushing aside hosts Angola before overpowering reigning champions Tunisia 87-66 on Friday.
Josh Okogie was the star against Tunisia, pouring in 33 points to continue his standout tournament form.
Nigeria and Cameroon have faced off three times in AfroBasket competition since 2009, with the D’Tigers leading the head-to-head 2-1.
Their most recent meeting came in the 2017 quarter-finals, when Nigeria triumphed 106-91.
Cameroon, however, arrive in Luanda with their own ambitions. The Lions have averaged 83 points per game at the tournament so far and lead Nigeria in both rebounds (46 to 42.5) and assists (18 to 15), which underlines their capacity to test the West Africans.
A win would hand Nigeria valuable rest days before the quarter-finals, while also reinforcing their credentials as title contenders in Angola. For Cameroon, toppling the D’Tigers would not only earn first place in Group B but also provide a psychological boost ahead of the knockout stages.
Nigeria forward Devine Eke expressed delight after the team’s latest victory, but maintained that the players are keeping their focus on the bigger prize. He stressed that while the result was important, the ultimate goal is to win the championship.
Eke highlighted how the D’Tigers stuck to instructions and worked as a unit, crediting the collective effort for the team’s strong display. He pointed out that every player embraced their responsibility, which made the difference in securing the win.
“We feel good about the win. The job is not done, but I feel we can win this whole thing. We feel really good. We executed well. We followed our coach’s game plan. Everyone played their role, and if everyone continues to do that, anything is possible,” Eke said.
The 31st edition of AfroBasket, hosted by Angola for the fourth time, runs until August 24. Nigeria last won the competition in 2015, and after a strong start, belief is growing that they can mount another championship run.
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