Baskadia

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O. _Engr Iniobong Esuene Visits U.J. Esuene Sports Complex, Commits to Renovating Squash Court_ Engr. Iniobong Esuene, the son of the late Udokaha Jacob Esuene, former Military Governor of the then South-Eastern State, recently paid a significant visit to the U. J. Esuene Sports Complex, a facility named in honor of his late father.

The sports complex was built under the leadership of Udokaha Esuene, who served as the governor of Cross River State between 1967 and 1975, contributing significantly to the state's infrastructural and sporting development. During his visit, Engr. Iniobong met with several key sports officials, including the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Ekanem Ekpenyong; the Senior Special Assistant(SSA) on Sports,

Mr. Eta Lawrence; and the Director of Sports, Mr. Moses Agbor and other officials at the Commission. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in Cross River’s ongoing sports development. Mr. Ekpenyong, in his welcoming remarks, expressed gratitude to Engr. Iniobong for visiting the U.J. Esuene Sports Complex and encouraged him to explore collaborative efforts to further elevate the standards of the state’s sporting facilities. Similarly, Mr. Eta Lawrence echoed these sentiments,

emphasizing the timeliness of the visit and reaffirming his commitment to working together for the improvement of the stadium's infrastructure. Mr. Moses Agbor, Director of Sports, also shared his excitement about seeing the son of the man who pioneered the complex, highlighting the significance of his continued involvement in shaping the future of Cross River’s sporting landscape.

He praised Engr. Iniobong for his focus on empowering young athletes and creating greater opportunities for the state’s future sporting talents. In his response, Engr. Iniobong expressed immense joy at seeing the lasting legacy of his late father, whose efforts in establishing the complex continue to inspire progress in Cross River's sports sector.

He took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to His Excellency Apostle Prince Bassey Otu, the current Gov. of the state for his efforts in transforming the state’s sports infrastructure through renovations and rebranding initiatives. Engr. Iniobong, who is passionate about sports development, toured the entire sports complex and identified the squash court as an area in need of renovation.

He promised to take immediate action, committing to upgrading the facility to encourage greater participation in squash, particularly among the youth. As the owner of the best squash academy in the South-South region, Engr. Iniobong expressed his commitment to not only enhancing facilities in the state but also growing the sport across the region and beyond.

Engr. Iniobong Esuene was accompanied by a passionate squash enthusiast, Mr. Udoka, who took the opportunity to highlight the importance of developing sports in Cross River State. Mr. Udoka emphasized the need for collaboration between sports stakeholders and the state government to upgrade existing facilities and foster greater participation in the sport. His insights underscored the potential for sports, particularly squash, to contribute to the state's growth and development.

This visit marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize Cross River's sporting culture, emphasizing the importance of preserving the state's legacy while fostering new opportunities for young athletes. With leaders like Engr. Iniobong Esuene at the forefront, the future of sports in Cross River looks promising and full of potential.