By Patrick Titus, Uyo
A total of 55 teenage golfers are to be trained free as part of fresh talent development drive to produce future champions in golf.
The initiative will see five young golfers selected from each of the state’s 31 Local Government areas receive free training ahead of next year’s Sports Festival, a platform for harvesting young talents in sports.
Governor Umo Eno announced the programme on Sunday through the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who represented him at the closing ceremony at the Uyo Township Stadium.
According to the governor, the leadership and management of the Uyo Golf Club have agreed to take responsibility for grooming the young talents. “Henceforth, all the Local Governments will be required to provide five young golfers each for them to train free of charge, preparatory to next year’s festival,” Eno said.
Beyond golf, Eno said the Sports Festival had demonstrated the growth of the state’s sporting foundation, noting that the number of competitive disciplines had risen from 18 to 27, with about 4,000 young athletes taking part in the 2026 edition.
He also assured that medal winners and participating Local Government areas would receive recognition and rewards, as was done after the 2025 festival.
The captain of Ibom Golf Club, Isua Archibong, appreciated the government’s inclusion of golf and support to develop the game to improve the tourism potential of Akwa Ibom State.
He said the U16 boys and girls would be accepted for the golfing development. He urged the LGA authorities to take advantage of the 18-hole Ibom Golf course and the Arise Plam Park 9 hole.
Meanwhile, Itu Local Government Area emerged champion of the 2026 festival after topping the final medals table with 108 medals. Uruan produced a strong challenge to finish runners-up with 83 medals, while Etinan placed third with 51.
Uyo, the state capital, narrowly missed the podium with 50 medals, according to figures released by the Main Organising Committee on Sunday.
The result marked another landmark chapter for the festival, with the 2025 edition having Itu – Gold, Uyo – silver, while Nsit Atai finished bronze.
With 155 teenagers now set to receive structured golf training, the Eno administration is seeking to turn the festival from a four-year sporting showcase into a sustained pipeline for discovering and developing the next generation of Akwa Ibom athletes.
