In preparation for the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival set to take place in April, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has embarked on an inspection tour of key sporting facilities in the state.
He assured that the government is committed to providing all necessary support for a successful hosting of the competition.
With over 3,000 athletes expected from the nine Niger Delta states, Elder Bassey visited the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC) in Ikot Ada Idem. He was received by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Churchill Udoh, and the Rector, Professor Enoidem Usoroh, who guided him through the facility.
The inspection covered key areas, including the football field, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, a medical centre, male and female hostels, an indoor sports hall, and the auditorium.
Elder Bassey expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for approving Akwa Ibom as the host state, noting that the event would highlight the state’s strides in sports infrastructure development and maintenance.
Satisfied with the quality of the facilities at DASAC, he praised the centre’s management for ensuring proper maintenance. The hostels, he noted, are capable of accommodating up to 1,000 athletes during the festival.
The Commissioner also visited the West Itam Sports Centre, where the facility manager, Victor Owokere, conducted an inspection of the handball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, currently undergoing rehabilitation. Owokere raised concerns over recurring vandalism at the centre and called for improved security to protect the facilities.
Elder Bassey condemned the unauthorized use and destruction of government-owned sports facilities. To address this, he announced plans to establish a Stadium Management Committee to oversee the protection and maintenance of sports infrastructure across the state.
Commending the ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Itam Sports Centre, he assured that the facility would be properly managed beyond the sports festival, which is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 9.
Accompanying the Commissioner on the tour were all Directors in the Ministry of Sports, led by the Director of Sports, Mrs. Brigitte Oton.
