By Joy Umo
The Cross River State House of Assembly has confirmed the nominees presented by Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the newly reconstituted Cross River State Sports Commission.
The approved board is chaired by Etta Lawrence Itanya, with Queen Gladys Festus, Hon. Njarani Gabriel Ushie, Sunny Ndep Ebam and Ekpenyong Effiom Okon serving as members.
The Commission’s new leadership is expected to inject fresh energy into the state’s sports sector, which stakeholders say has performed below par in recent years despite Cross River’s rich sporting history.
The board’s inauguration has also reignited calls from analysts for the scrapping of the Sports Ministry, similar to the federal structure, to prevent overlapping roles and reduce institutional friction.
Speaking after his confirmation, Chairman Etta Lawrence Itanya expressed gratitude to God and to Governor Otu for the trust placed in the team. He promised that the Commission would uphold its mandate with integrity and work towards restoring the state’s stature in national sports.
Itanya added that the board will vigorously pursue the state’s sporting development plan, with a focus on nurturing young athletes, strengthening talent pipelines and elevating Cross River’s visibility in national and international competitions.