Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports has inaugurated a five-man Fact-finding Committee to review the performance of state athletes at the recently concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo.
Barrister Ime Akpan is the Chairman of the Committee, members include Comrade Amos Etuk, Dr. Promise Etim, Hon. John Ekpenyong, while Assistant Director in the Ministry of Sports, Mr James James will serve as the Secretary of the Committee.
Performing the inauguration at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey said the mandate of the committee is to study and examine Akwa Ibom State participation in the Niger Delta Sports Festival with a view to advising the ministry going forward.
While congratulating members of the committee, the sports commissioner informed them that they have 10 days to submit their report which will help the ministry address shortcomings, develop sports at the grassroots and build human capacity in sports for effective representation.
“The issue of the Niger Delta Festival, I didn’t think it was good to sweep it under the carpet without addressing the concerns, especially the complaints and protests that rocked Akwa Ibom camp. This committee will help unravel that, and give recommendations to avoid future occurrences.
“This committee is not punitive, it’s not vindictive, it’s a Fact-finding Committee,” he added.
He assured that the Ministry of Sports under his leadership will remain focused on developing sports and talents at the grassroots level in line with the vision of the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno and called on the members of the public, including athletes and sports loving Akwa Ibomite with useful information to submit same to the committee in order to guide their findings and recommendations.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Barrister Ime Akpan thanked the government for finding them fit to serve and added that they understand the important role they have to play in repositioning sports in Akwa Ibom. He promised that the committee will work diligently without fear or favour for the overall interest of the state.
In what many described as embarrassing, there were protests and complains from Akwa Ibom athletes during the festival over payment of allowances and lack of kits for competition. The team came 6th with a medal haul of 9 golds, 14 silvers and 14 bronze medals totaling 37, out of the nine states of the Niger Delta that participated in the competition.
