Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has flagged off an ambitious grassroots sports initiative, approving a fully funded golf training program for 155 teenagers from across the state. Unveiled during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival in Uyo, the scheme is designed to lay a solid foundation for long-term talent discovery. Under the arrangement, five young golfers will be handpicked from each of the state’s 31 local government areas to undergo specialized training at the Uyo Golf Club ahead of next year’s festival.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the governor emphasized that local government authorities are now expected to actively mobilize and present their representatives for the free coaching program. This latest move rides on the momentum of a highly successful sports festival that saw participation surge to roughly 4,000 young athletes, while competitive disciplines expanded significantly from 18 to 27. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth development, the governor promised appropriate recognition and rewards for medalists and participating councils, mirroring the incentives doved out following the previous year’s outing.
The initiative has already drawn strong backing from stakeholders within the sporting community. Isua Archibong, Captain of the Ibom Golf Club, lauded the state government for integrating golf into the festival’s lineup, noting that the club is fully prepared to welcome boys and girls under sixteen into the development pipeline. Archibong encouraged council authorities to maximize world-class facilities available at both the 18-hole Ibom Golf Course and the nine-hole Arise Palm Park. Adding national weight to the endorsement, the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Olusegun Runsewe, pledged the federation’s absolute support, promising technical assistance, structured coaching clinics, and capacity-building programs to help nurture the young prospects into future champions.
Beyond the greens, the 2026 festival delivered intense competitive excitement and a fierce battle for supremacy among participating districts. According to the official figures released by the Main Organising Committee, Itu Local Government Area clinched the overall championship title after dominating the medal table with an impressive haul of 108 medals. Uruan put up a spirited performance to finish second with 83 medals, while Etinan secured the third spot with 51 medals, leaving the capital city, Uyo, to settle for fourth place with 50 medals. Zoyols News understands that with this structured 155-golfer program now in motion, the state is positioning itself not just as a hub for multi-sport events, but as a breeding ground for elite golfing talent on the national stage.
