Constitute Cross River Sports Council Board now Expert tells Governor Otu

Stakeholders in the sports sector have urged Governor Bassey Otu to immediately constitute the Cross River State Sports Council Board, which has remained vacant since the current administration took office.

Participants at a one-day conference marking the climax of the 2025 NUJ Media Week also called for the urgent domestication and localisation of the National Sports Policy across all local government areas in the state.

The conference, themed “Journalism, Good Governance and the Quest for Sports Development: The Cross River State Perspective,” was held at The Tent in Calabar Municipality. It brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and sports development experts, who discussed the role of sports as a tool for business, youth engagement, talent discovery, employment creation, and inclusivity, especially for women and special athletes.

Declaring the event open, Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey (Ph.D), represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Pastor Fred Abuo, commended the leadership of the NUJ Cross River State Council, led by Comrade Archibong Bassey, for initiating the dialogue on sports development.

“The NUJ’s dedication to truth-telling is invaluable to our democracy. As you mark this occasion, I assure you of the Senator Prince Bassey Otu-led administration’s commitment to partnership and collaboration with your union for the good of our community,” he said.

He further urged journalists to uphold responsible journalism and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine public trust and stability.

In his welcome address, NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, encouraged full participation in the conference. The Chairman of the Conference, Patriarch Victor Ebong—represented by Bassey Edim, former APC State Secretary—highlighted the importance of building frameworks for sports development, especially for discovering young talent in schools and at the grassroots, as was once the norm.

According to him, “Such initiatives will bring lasting benefits to the state and Nigeria at both national and international levels, while engaging youths meaningfully to promote peace and social stability.”

Four thematic papers were presented during the event, each offering unique insights into sports development.

Dr. Bong Duke, Vice Chairman/CEO of the State Planning Commission, presented a paper titled “Institutional Framework and Governance for Sports Development in CRS.” He emphasised the importance of aligning the National Sports Policy with local realities and called for the establishment of a dedicated Cross River Sports Development Council. He identified challenges including fragmented administration, poor policy implementation, weak funding structures, and lack of private sector involvement. “With the right framework, private investment will follow — it’s a win-win,” he stated.

Mr. David Etim, Chairman of the Organised Private Sector and Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (CALCIMA), discussed “Private Sector Participation in Sports Development: Opportunities & Challenges.” He traced the history of private sports sponsorship in Nigeria and emphasised that a structured system, especially one allowing investors to recoup funds, would drive growth. “Properly regulated, localised sports betting is one area with great investment potential,” he noted.

Mr. Amaebi Wilson, Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Table Tennis Association (NTTA) South-South Zone—represented by Bishop Usen Umoh, Vice Chairman of the Cross River Table Tennis Association—delivered a paper on “Importance of Grassroots Sports Development in Promoting Mass Participation and Talent Identification.” He stressed the need for active sports groups in every local government area.

“Every LGA should have sports groups connected to schools, community leaders, and traditional institutions. If we only spotlight elite athletes, the local hopefuls may never be seen. Let’s also cover local tournaments, showcase community coaches, and tell the story of that single mother using sports to keep her son from cultism,” he urged.

Dr. Macfarlane Ejah, Chairman of the Cross River Cricket Association and public affairs analyst, presented the final paper, “Partnership, Strategies, and the Necessity for Integrating the National Sports Policy into CRS Development.” He noted the underutilization of school sports programs and poor infrastructure, advocating for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model free from political interference. “Sporting events create jobs — from athletes to vendors and officials. There’s also branding and sports tourism potential,” he said.

Goodwill messages came from various dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Sports, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Comrade Sam Egbal, who reiterated efforts to revive the sports sector after years of neglect.

The Special Adviser, South, emphasised the importance of embedding security measures into the domestication of the sports policy to ensure safe sporting environments.

Additional messages of support came from the Special Adviser on General Duties to the Governor, Ekpenyong Akiba; Cross River NLC Chairman, Comrade Gregory Olayi (represented by his deputy); and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, who called for unity among journalists in fulfilling their duty to the public and government.