By Akanimo Kufre
New sports talents were discovered in Eket Center on Tuesday as Akwa Ibom State began trials ahead of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
The Eket Senatorial District is competing for one of the 316 coveted spots to represent the state at the inaugural event tagged UYO 2025.
From the pitch to the tracks, mat, sand, river, pool, and courts, the youthful athletes gave their all, showcasing their brilliant skills in various sports. The sports included football, track and field, weightlifting, traditional wrestling, swimming, basketball, boxing, tennis, handball, canoeing, and volleyball.
The organization of the trials was top-notch, conforming to the world-class standards set by the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the event.
The technical lead of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, Catherine Ekuta Ewa, expressed her excitement about the talents on display.
“If we can harness the talents we have seen here, Akwa Ibom will have a very bright future in sports.”
Coach Ewa also thanked the organizers for creating an avenue for young athletes to be screened and aspire to compete at a higher level.
The trials, which were held in various locations across the Eket Senatorial District, including Eket town, Ibeno LGA, and Oron, saw a high level of competition, with many young athletes displaying exceptional skills and energy. The Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, visited the trials and expressed satisfaction with the turnout and level of competition by the athletes.
As the district preliminaries continue on Wednesday in Ikot Ekpene, the excitement is building, and Akwa Ibom State is poised to make a strong showing at the Niger Delta Sports Festival. With the technical prowess and welfare of the athletes being prioritized, the state is ready to take on the best from other states and make a lasting impression at the festival.
