By Linus Ibli
The Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development has highlighted its achievements over the past three years, describing the period as one of transformation, renewed participation in national competitions, improved athlete welfare and strategic investments aimed at rebuilding the state's sporting sector.
According to the Ministry, the creation of the Ministry of Sports Development in August 2023 marked the beginning of a new era for sports administration in Cross River State. The establishment of a dedicated ministry reflected the State Government's commitment to repositioning sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment, economic development and talent discovery.
The Ministry noted that when the present administration assumed office on 16 August 2023, facilities at the U.J. Esuene Stadium were in a deplorable condition. Rehabilitation work commenced immediately and, by December 2023, the stadium had undergone significant improvements, restoring confidence in the state's sporting infrastructure.
The report further stated that Cross River had virtually disappeared from Nigeria's sporting landscape for about fifteen years, with many indigenous athletes relocating to other states in search of better opportunities. To reverse the trend, deliberate measures were introduced to attract athletes back to the state and rebuild the sporting ecosystem.
Internally, the Ministry implemented reforms that increased the number of athletes receiving monthly allowances from 29 to 205, while coaches benefiting from the allowance scheme rose from 14 to 56. Monthly allowances for casual workers were also reviewed upward from ₦10,000 to between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000. In addition, the State Government Swimming Pool was recovered from private management, while cordial working relations between the Ministry and the Sports Commission were restored.
Return to National Sporting Activities
One of the Ministry's earliest milestones was returning Cross River State to the national sporting calendar after more than fifteen years of limited participation.
In 2023, Cross River hosted the National Youth Games South-South Zonal Elimination Series, welcoming over 1,200 athletes and officials from the six South-South states. The state also participated in the National Youth Games in Asaba with about 150 delegates, winning medals and other honours.
The Ministry also convened strategic partnership meetings involving Ministries, Departments and Agencies, financial institutions and telecommunications companies to strengthen collaboration and mobilise support for grassroots sports development.
Working with the Cross River State Football Association, the Ministry revived the Governor's Cup Football Competition, bringing organised grassroots football back to communities across the state.
Expanding Grassroots Sports in 2024
The Ministry stated that 2024 witnessed the launch of the maiden Queens Cup Football Tournament in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. The competition was established to identify female football talents for Pelican Stars Football Club and has since grown to its third edition.
Cross River athletes also participated in the All African Games in Accra, Ghana, with athletes including Patience Okon qualifying to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Sensitisation tours were carried out across the state's three senatorial districts to promote grassroots sports development and talent discovery.
Plans also commenced for the establishment of a world-class Sports Academy in Akamkpa through a partnership with Rainbow Sports North America, with Governor Bassey Otu providing land for the project.
To modernise sports administration, work also began on the Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development Management and Administration Automation System (CRS MSD MAAS), alongside an interactive talent hunt website in partnership with Cross River Express.
The Ministry further announced plans for the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort while rejuvenating Calabar Rovers Football Club and Pelican Stars Football Club. Monthly government subventions to both clubs were increased to ₦20 million and ₦15 million respectively.
Consolidating Gains in 2025
Capacity building remained a major priority as staff and coaches were sponsored to the National Institute of Sports, Lagos, for training and retraining programmes.
Cross River also introduced American Football by hosting the maiden AKETI Bowl Championship in Calabar. The state's team secured sponsorship opportunities, while three players earned sponsorships abroad.
In partnership with SRHD Sports, the Ministry organised the second edition of the SKAT-A-THON competition, attracting more than 1,500 athletes from across Nigeria.
Cross River also participated in the maiden NDDC Sports Festival, winning medals and producing athletes who were invited to the national camp ahead of the National Sports Festival.
Athletes who excelled at the 2024 National Youth Games received cash rewards from Governor Bassey Otu in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The second edition of the Queens Cup produced more female talents for Pelican Stars, while Cross River athletes also participated in the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta and the National Youth Games in Asaba.
The Ministry organised the maiden Cross River State Veterans Sports Competition, bringing retired athletes together to compete in football and indoor games including ayo, draft and ludo.
Cross River also hosted the National Council on Sports, receiving delegates from all 36 states of the federation.
The state honoured Miracle Usani following Nigeria's victory at the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), while the Governor's Cup continued to serve as a platform for identifying talents for Calabar Rovers.
The Ministry also strengthened partnerships with Rainbow Sports North America, Edulumen Nigeria Limited, Bokolo HSIC Group, Pitch and Play Sports Talents Limited, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Sterling Bank and other strategic partners.
Sustaining Momentum in 2026
According to the report, Cross River improved from the last position to sixth place at the NDDC Games held in Edo State, recording its highest medal haul since the competition was introduced.
At the National Para Games in Abuja, Team Cross River won two gold, five silver and eleven bronze medals.
The third edition of the Queens Cup expanded to include volleyball and basketball, creating more opportunities for female athletes.
The Ministry maintained that all these programmes were funded by the Cross River State Government, demonstrating sustained commitment to sports development despite prevailing economic challenges.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite the achievements, the Ministry identified inadequate funding, ageing infrastructure, rising costs of sports equipment, facility maintenance and athlete development as some of the major challenges confronting the sector.
Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to domesticate the Cross River State Sports Policy, establish the State Sports Trust Fund, complete the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort, certify football coaches with CAF D Licence qualifications, host professional golf tournaments, organise the maiden Cross River Women Run Marathon and stage the first Mini Sports Festival for the Northern Senatorial District.
The Ministry stated that the progress recorded over the past three years reflects its commitment to rebuilding sports in Cross River State through improved infrastructure, athlete welfare, grassroots talent development and stronger partnerships with both the public and private sectors. It expressed optimism that sustained investment would further consolidate the state's return as a major force in Nigerian sports.
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