The Cross River State Sports Commission has dissolved the boards of all 38 sports federations in the state as part of efforts to reposition and strengthen sports development.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, 22 April 2036, by the Chairman of the Sports Commission, Mr. Eta Lawrence, in Calabar during an interactive session with stakeholders.
The meeting brought together members of the commission board, federation chairmen, both past and present, heads of departments in the Sports Commission and Ministry of Sports, coaches, sports administrators, and other key stakeholders.
Mr. Lawrence explained that the dissolution was aimed at restructuring the sports sector to improve efficiency, performance, and overall development in the state.
According to him, the move is part of broader reforms designed to reposition sports administration and enhance coordination across all sporting associations.
He also recalled that Governor Bassey Edet Otu had recently increased the honorarium for athletes and their teams as part of measures to encourage sports development in Cross River State.
In a recent interaction with journalists in Calabar, Mr. Lawrence reiterated his commitment to advancing sports development in the state, assuring stakeholders of improved structures and opportunities under the new framework.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included the former Director of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Chief Dr. Orok Duke; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Ntufam Ekanem Ekpenyong; Queen Gladys; and Sunny Ndem, who are commissioners on the board of the Sports Commission.
Others in attendance were Jude Amadi, a former Director of Sports; Rosemary Usang, the immediate past Director of Sports; Barrister Cecilia Ugbuju, Chairman of the Cross River State Referees Council; and Happiness Burutu, Vice President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, among others.
The meeting, which took place at the table tennis hall of the U.J. Esuene Stadium, also served as a platform to review the state of sports administration and chart a new direction for development.
In his remarks, Mr. Lawrence appreciated all outgoing federation chairmen and board members for their contributions to sports development in the state, describing their efforts as valuable and commendable.
He wished them success in their future endeavours.
A date is yet to be fixed for elections into the various state sports federations.