Akwa Ibom Launches State-of-the-Art Ibom Gym, Unveils Modern Sports Equipment
The Akwa Ibom State Government, through the Ministry of Sports, has commissioned a brand new, state-owned, state-of-the-art gymnasium christened “Ibom Gym”.
The colourful commissioning ceremony took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, with the Managing Director of Hensek Integrated Services Limited, Engineer Uwem Okoko, FNSE, serving as the Special Guest of Honour.
Commissioning the facility, Engr. Okoko—who is also the President-General, Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative—commended Governor Umo Eno for the remarkable strides recorded across critical sectors, particularly in the sports sector. He also praised the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his role in driving the sports development agenda of the current administration.
According to him, “We can now clearly see that Pastor Umo Eno is a sports-loving and youth-friendly Governor. That is why we, as sports people, must not only utilise these facilities to sharpen our skills, but also use our voters’ cards in 2027 to return him to the Hilltop Mansion for a second term.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports also unveiled a wide range of high-quality sports equipment and consumables, purchased for the first time in over a decade.
It will be recalled that Governor Umo Eno had last year approved the release of funds and directed the Ministry to procure modern sports equipment to enhance the training and retraining of athletes and coaches in the state. That directive has now been fully implemented.
Unveiling the equipment and offering prayers of dedication, the Guest Speaker and Chairman of the International Worship Centre, Pastor (Prof.) Ime Nyong George, urged athletes and coaches to maximise the use of the equipment to harness their talents and improve performance, thereby reciprocating the Governor’s gesture with outstanding results at national and international competitions.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, thanked Governor Umo Eno for matching words with action, describing him as a promise-keeping and sports-loving leader. He highlighted the importance of sports in everyday life and noted that Akwa Ibom athletes are now better positioned to compete favourably with their peers across the country and beyond.
Elder Bassey stated that Ibom Gym, built and delivered by Julius Berger Plc with world-class facilities, is a first-of-its-kind signature project of the Ministry and a key part of the ongoing realisation of the Governor’s vision for sports development in the state.
“For many years, our athletes lacked basic training equipment. Some had to subscribe to private gyms, while others were lured to other states with better facilities and ended up representing those states,” he said.
He added that the sports industry provides a viable platform for youths to harness their talents, gain meaningful employment, live purposeful lives, and inspire future generations.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh. Speaking on behalf of the benefiting athletes and coaches, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Coaches’ Association, Mr. Daniel Unoette, appealed to the government to prioritise the training and retraining of coaches.
The high point of the event was an exhibition table tennis match between the Commissioner for Sports and the Commissioner for Youth Development, which the host Commissioner won 10–4.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mrs Rosemary Ubia, Directors and staff of the ministry of sports as well as sports journalists, stakeholders, coaches, secretaries and chairmen of sports associations in the state.
