The Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development has unveiled a comprehensive review of its achievements over the past three years, highlighting remarkable progress in sports administration, infrastructure development, athlete welfare, grassroots talent discovery and strategic partnerships that have repositioned the state as an emerging force in Nigerian sports.
The Ministry noted that the establishment of the Ministry of Sports Development in August 2023 marked the beginning of a new chapter in sports administration in Cross River State. The creation of a dedicated ministry underscored the unwavering commitment of the administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to harnessing sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment, economic growth, social inclusion and talent development.
Upon assumption of office on August 16, 2023, the Ministry inherited sporting facilities, particularly the U.J. Esuene Stadium, in a state of disrepair. Through deliberate intervention and timely rehabilitation efforts, the stadium witnessed significant improvements before the end of the year, restoring confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure.
The Ministry also observed that Cross River State had remained largely absent from the national sporting scene for nearly fifteen years, resulting in the migration of many talented athletes to other states. Determined to reverse this trend, the Ministry initiated bold reforms aimed at rebuilding the state’s sports ecosystem and restoring its competitive status.
Institutional Reforms and Improved Athlete Welfare
Within the period under review, the Ministry implemented sweeping internal reforms that significantly enhanced athlete welfare and staff motivation.
The number of athletes receiving monthly allowances increased from 29 to 205, while coaches benefiting from the scheme rose from 14 to 56. Monthly stipends for casual workers were also reviewed upward from ₦10,000 to between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000.
The Ministry further recovered the State Government Swimming Pool from private management and restored effective collaboration between the Ministry and the Cross River State Sports Commission, laying a stronger institutional foundation for sports administration.
Return to National Sporting Competitions
One of the Ministry’s landmark achievements was successfully returning Cross River State to active participation in national sporting events after more than a decade of limited presence.
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 a delegation of about 150 athletes and officials, winning medals and making a strong return to national competition.
The Ministry also convened strategic stakeholder engagements involving Ministries, Departments and Agencies, financial institutions and telecommunications companies to strengthen collaboration and mobilize support for grassroots sports development.
Working closely with the Cross River State Football Association, the Ministry successfully revived the Governor’s Cup Football Competition, restoring organized grassroots football across communities in the state.
Expanding Grassroots Sports Development in 2024
Building on its early successes, the Ministry launched the maiden edition of the Queens Cup Football Tournament in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu.
The competition was designed to discover and nurture female football talents for Pelican Stars Football Club and has continued to expand, becoming one of the state’s flagship grassroots sports initiatives.
Cross River athletes also participated in the All African Games in Accra, Ghana, with outstanding athlete Patience Okon qualifying to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games.
To deepen grassroots participation, sensitization tours were conducted across the three senatorial districts, encouraging greater youth involvement in sports and identifying emerging talents.
The Ministry also commenced plans for the establishment of a world-class Sports Academy in Akamkpa through a partnership with Rainbow Sports North America, with the Cross River State Government providing land for the project.
In line with its digital transformation agenda, the Ministry initiated the Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development Management and Administration Automation System (CRS MSD-MAAS), alongside an interactive talent identification platform in partnership with Cross River Express.
Plans were equally unveiled for the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort, while government support for Calabar Rovers Football Club and Pelican Stars Football Club was significantly strengthened through increased monthly subventions of ₦20 million and ₦15 million respectively.
Consolidating Progress in 2025
Recognizing the importance of capacity development, the Ministry sponsored staff and coaches to the National Institute for Sports, Lagos, for training and retraining programmes.
Cross River also introduced American Football by hosting the maiden AKETI Bowl Championship in Calabar, leading to sponsorship opportunities for the state team and overseas sponsorships for three outstanding players.
In partnership with SRHD Sports, the Ministry successfully organized the second edition of the SKAT-A-THON Championship, attracting over 1,500 participants from across Nigeria.
The state also participated in the maiden NDDC Sports Festival, winning medals and producing athletes who earned invitations to the national camp ahead of the National Sports Festival.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu rewarded athletes who excelled at the 2024 National Youth Games with cash incentives in recognition of their outstanding performances and dedication.
The second edition of the Queens Cup produced another crop of talented female footballers for Pelican Stars, while Team Cross River also participated in the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta and the National Youth Games in Asaba.
The Ministry further organized the maiden Cross River State Veterans Sports Competition, bringing together retired athletes to compete in football and indoor games such as ayo, draft and ludo.
Cross River State also hosted the National Council on Sports, receiving delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
In recognition of sporting excellence, the Ministry honoured Miracle Usani following Nigeria’s triumph at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), while the Governor’s Cup continued to serve as an effective platform for identifying football talents for Calabar Rovers.
The Ministry also expanded strategic collaborations with Rainbow Sports North America, Edulumen Nigeria Limited, Bokolo HSIC Group, Pitch and Play Sports Talents Limited, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Sterling Bank and several other development partners.
Sustaining Momentum in 2026
The Ministry reported another major breakthrough in 2026 as Cross River State improved from the bottom of the medals table to sixth position at the NDDC Games held in Edo State, recording its best performance since the inception of the competition.
At the National Para Games in Abuja, Team Cross River secured an impressive total of two gold, five silver and eleven bronze medals.
The third edition of the Queens Cup expanded beyond football to include volleyball and basketball, creating additional opportunities for female athletes across multiple sporting disciplines.
The Ministry emphasized that these achievements were made possible through the sustained support and funding provided by the Cross River State Government despite prevailing economic realities.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While acknowledging the remarkable progress recorded, the Ministry identified inadequate funding, ageing sports infrastructure, increasing costs of sporting equipment, facility maintenance and athlete development as some of the major challenges requiring sustained attention.
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, facilitate CAF D Licence certification for football coaches, host professional golf tournaments, organize the maiden Cross River Women Run Marathon and stage the first Mini Sports Festival for the Northern Senatorial District.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the ongoing transformation of the sports sector through strategic investments, enhanced athlete welfare, grassroots talent development, improved infrastructure and stronger public-private partnerships.
It expressed confidence that with continued support from the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration and relevant stakeholders, Cross River State will continue to reclaim its place as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting destinations.
