Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey has reiterated the commitment of his ministry in partnering with private individuals and organizations in developing and promoting sports in the state.

Describing sports as a multi-billion-naira sector, Elder Bassey said good investment in sport has great socio-economic effects and benefits in the society, with profitable returns.

The Sports Commissioner stated this when he played host to Nigerian-born, United States-based heavyweight boxer Enobong “The Nigerian Gentleman” Umohette in his office.

He congratulated the Onna-born boxer for being a good representative of the state and country at the international stage, and for emerging as the IBA (International Boxing Association) Continental Heavyweight boxing champion.

He said the state is committed through the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno to reinvent sports through grassroots development, adding that his ministry is open to collaborations with individuals and organizations to change the sports narrative in Akwa Ibom.

Umohette thanked Governor Umo Eno for appointing Elder Paul Bassey as the Sports Commissioner, and described his appointment as ‘fitting’, given his antecedents in sports and wealth of experience in the sector.

The boxer who is now undefeated in five fights since coming out of a nearly eight-year retirement, said he was proud to identify with Akwa Ibom wherever he went and expressed his willingness to collaborate with government in order to support sports development in the state.

He thanked Governor Umo Eno, former Governor Victor Attah, Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Governor Udom Emmanuel and Ambassador Udo Moses Williams for the “incredible roles” they played in his boxing achievements.

Enobong Umohette with 13 career win under his belt, is now ranked among the top 100 heavyweights in the world and is now one fight away from a WBA, WBC and IBF title fight opportunity.