From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Commissioner for Sports, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Paul Bassey, has cautioned Local Government Chairmen and Sports Supervisors to ensure strict compliance with the prescribed registration processes to avoid the disqualification of athletes from the games.
Elder Bassey gave the warning during separate meetings with Local Government Chairmen and Sports Supervisors, where he briefed them on preparations for the forthcoming festival and stressed the need for all participating local government areas to adhere strictly to the registration guidelines.
The Sports Commissioner emphasised that all athletes and officials must be registered through the official festival portal, noting that information supplied by each athlete must correspond with the required supporting documents for successful authentication, registration and documentation.
“This year, registration for athletes and officials is done online, and each local government has a unique customised identification code. Information on identity, especially for athletes, must match all other documents and clearly indicate the origin of the athlete,” he said.
According to him, key documents required for the registration of athletes include a Certificate of Origin, National Identification Number (NIN) and passport photograph.
He explained that any discrepancy between the documents could lead to the rejection of the registration by the portal and the subsequent disqualification of the athlete.
“If the NIN of an athlete shows that he or she is from Eket but the Certificate of Origin shows Ikot Abasi, such registration will be rejected by the portal and the athlete will be disqualified from the games.
“Again, there is no way one athlete will be registered by two different local government areas,” he emphasized
Elder Bassey warned against any attempt to manipulate the registration process, stressing that the festival was sponsored by Governor Umo Eno for the benefit of Akwa Ibom youths.
“This festival is graciously sponsored by His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno for the benefit of Akwa Ibom youths, so we will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that will attempt to truncate this noble effort.”
The Sports Commissioner also disclosed that the Main Organising Committee would provide accommodation facilities for participating athletes, while noting that local government areas were at liberty to make their own private accommodation arrangements where necessary to enhance coordination and concentration among their teams.
In his remarks, the Dean, College of Sports Supervisors in the state, Honourable Michael Ukpong, commended Governor Umo Eno for fulfilling his promise to host another edition of the state sports festival following the success recorded during last year’s event.
Honourable Ukpong also appreciated the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee and Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for briefing the Sports Supervisors on the modalities and preparations for the festival.
He urged all local government areas to present disciplined athletes and officials, stressing that the success of the event depended on the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders.
The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium and will be declared open by Governor Umo Eno.
