. .. To represent Nigeria in the International Sports competition in France and China
TheHILL | EDUCATION | APRIL 8.
Akwa Ibom State flew high in the just concluded National finals of the Maltina School Games competition in Abuja by clinching second position in the competition.
The young athletes who had participated in variety of track and field events and emerged champions in the Zonal stage that took place in Uyo to earn a slot in the National finals , battled it out with their counterparts from other States of the federation in Abuja.
Receiving the State’s representatives on behalf of the State Government on arrival in Uyo in a grand ceremony ,the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet hailed the champions for flying the State’s flag in the national competition and making the State proud with their remarkable outing .
The Commissioner appreciated the Nigerian Breweries, makers of the Maltina brand for developing children through sports activities and creating a platform to showcase local sports talents to the world .
While congratulating the entire crew for working very hard to attain such a great feat, the Commissioner reiterated State Government’s commitment to sports development and promotion of young talents, assuring that the champions would be motivated and supported to come tops in the upcoming international sports competition.
The Chairman ,State Secondary Education Board, Dr Ekaete Ebong Okon in her remarks,lauded the State Government for the support and the Commissioner, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, for her motherly blessings to the students before their departure to Abuja for the competition which she said has yielded positive result by the laurels won.
She appreciated Principals, parents, Ibeno community and all the guests for coming out to celebrate victory.
Dr. Okon solicited the revival of the era of schools sports competition that was halted following covid19 pandemic so as to discover more talents in sports.
She charged the competitors not to loose focus in their academics even as they excel in sports as some of them may make it in life through sports or academics or the combination of both .
Earlier, while presenting the State contingent,the Permanent Secretary,SSEB, Barr. Asuquo Selong Edem said the students competed in several track and field events and came second in the country with seven gold medals, six silver medals and eight bronze medals making a total of twenty one medals. The Gold medalists will proceed to France and China for the International sports competition.
High points of the event was presentation of laptops won during the competition to the students by the Commissioner, Etiebet and decoration of the students with their medals.
The event was witnessed by the Executive Chairman, EARCOM, Mrs Dorothy Thompson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, Directors and other Staff of SSEB, Parents of the celebrants, amongst others.
