Golf Set To Make Historic Debut At Akwa Ibom Sports Festival
Golf will make its debut at the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival today as the Ibom Golf Course at Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, hosts the first golf event in the history of the state festival.
The historic event will feature 32 teams, representing the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State alongside Team Nigeria, made up of non-indigenous participants.
The ceremonial tee-off is scheduled for 8:00am, while the competition is expected to begin at 8:30am.
Captain of Ibom Golf and Country Club, Isuamfon Archibong, will lead the golfing community into the maiden competition.
Several prominent Akwa Ibom indigenes and professionals are expected to feature, including Dr James Inam for Eket, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh for Esit Eket and former Akwa Ibom Golf Association chairman, Sam Ekpenyong, for Ibeno.
Ibesikpo Asutan will feature former Head of Service of Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien, and retired Permanent Secretary, Elder Eno Effiong, while Senator Albert Akpan and Dr Iniobong Essien will represent Ibiono Ibom.
Former House of Assembly member, Barr. Uwem Ekanem, will represent Ikot Abasi.
A notable pairing will come from Nsit Ubium, where Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, will team up with former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke.
For Urue Offong/Oruko, former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Victor Iyanam, will represent his home Local Government Area.
Uyo will be represented by IGCC Captain Isuamfon Archibong, who will pair with Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Ubong Uwah.
The competition will also bring together captains of industry, bankers, professionals, women golfers and young talents, with participants seeking to make history as the first champions of golf at the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
The inclusion of golf in the 2026 edition has been welcomed by the golfing community, with appreciation extended to Governor Umo Eno for his support towards the maintenance of the Ibom Golf Course.
The Ministry of Sports, led by the Commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey, has also been recognised for including golf in this year’s festival.
Attention now turns to the course as golfers prepare to battle for the maiden title and the opportunity to become the first-ever golf champions in the history of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
