The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports has announced it will set up a committee of enquiry to review the performance of the State athletes and Coaches at the just concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival, which held in Uyo.
Akwa Ibom returned in 6th position with a medal haul of 9 golds, 14 silvers and 14 bronze medals totaling 37, out of the nine states of the Niger Delta that participated in the competition.
It was also gathered that Akwa Ibom athletes who were officially camped in Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom went haywire over alleged underpayment of camping (pre-competition) allowances.
The aggrieved athletes it was further gathered blocked the entrance of the Centre for receiving just 5,000 Naira as their camping allowance instead of the expected N30,000
However, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey while addressing the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria – SWAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter on Friday said the inauguration of the committee was an attempt to address past shortcomings and improve future performances of the state athletes.
He said the committee will investigate incessant complaints and protests by state athletes and to assess the overall performance of the team.
While describing some of the incidents that happened in the camp of Team Akwa Ibom as unpleasant and embarrassing, the commissioner said it was important to have a committee to investigate, analyse and give recommendations in order to avoid such occurrences in future.
“I was hardly available during the games, so we are planning to set up a committee to look into some of the incidents that happened in our camp during the Niger Delta Sports Festival, not for punitive measures, but for proper findings and recommendations to guide us in future,” he said.
Elder Bassey, who was not satisfied with the position of the state team at the end of the festival, said it was now time to take sports development to the grassroots level and discover talents who will give the state better representation in future competitions, adding that the plan is in line with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno.
He thanked the Governor for creating an enabling environment for the hosting of the festival and the Niger Delta Development Commission – NDDC for the face-lift given to sports infrastructure in the state and promised to set up a Facility Management Committee to ensure proper maintenance of the sporting facilities in the state.
Earlier, the state chairman of SWAN, Emmanuel Akpan congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and described it as well deserved. He thanked the Governor for creating a separate ministry for sports, adding that the move will ensure proper development of sports in the state.
