COMMONWEALTH GAMES: IQUAIBOM HEADLINES AKWA IBOM DELEGATION TO GLASGOW
From Edidiong Stephen, Uyo
Akwa Ibom state will once again take centre stage on the international sporting scene as its distinguished sons and daughters have been named to participate in the upcoming 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in what has been described as another testament to the state’s growing influence in global sports.
Leading the state contingent to the multi-sport event is internationally respected weightlifting official, Lawrence Iquaibom, who has been appointed as an International Technical Official (ITO) for the sport of weightlifting at the Games.
By the appointment, Mr Iquaibom, who is also the national Vice President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, becomes the only Nigerian Weightlifting ITO to be so appointed to the Games, and one of only five Africans who will grace the championship in that capacity.
The veteran, who has not failed to participate in any continental or global sports championship in the last decade, will be back on familiar territory, having won a weightlifting gold medal at the Commonwealth Championship during his heyday as an energetic athlete. The Mkpat Enin-born sports administrator would go on to participate in several continental and global sports showpieces, including the Olympic Games, in an illustrious career, before joining the state’s civil service from where he retired as director of sports,
A Letter of Appointment signed by the Director of Sports of the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026, Natalie Cunningham, and sighted by this writer, reads in parts, ”Following your nomination by IWF and approval by Commonwealth Sport
(CS), the Glasgow 2026 Organising Committee (G2026) is delighted to confirm your selection as a Weightlifting Technical Official at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.”
”… as a Technical Official, you will play a critical role in delivering the Games, for what promises to be a truly transformative moment for the Commonwealth Sports Movement.”
Also going to the party as member of Team Nigeria is celebrated African champion, All Africa Games triple gold medallist, and Nigeria’s number-one weightlifter, Edidiong Umoafia, who like Iquaibom, will be returning to familiar territory and hoping to go a step further, having won a bronze medal at these Games in Birmingham, England, in 2022.
Umoafia, who recently won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last edition of the Islamic Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be in company with Ruth Asuquo whose growing profile and outstanding performances are evidenced by her winning of three gold medals at the recently concluded African Weightlifting Championship in Egypt. The duo are members of a delegation of eight weightlifters, comprising three males and five females, who will be doing the honours of representing the country at the Games.
Also flying the state’s flag is the internationally acclaimed National Sports Festival multiple gold medallist, Enku Ewa, who will represent Team Nigeria in judo. Enku, whose mother is the current Director of Coaching in the state Ministry of Sports, board member of the Nigeria Judo Federation, and an Olympian, continues the family’s proud sporting legacy and is one of bookmakers’ favourites to make a strong impression on the Games.
Speaking in Uyo ahead of the Games, Lawrence Iquaibom expressed profound appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his unwavering support for sports development in the state. He said the Governor’s encouragement and deliberate investment in the sector have created an enabling environment for athletes, coaches and technical officials to excel on the world stage.
He pointed to the hosting of the state sports festival, and the procurement of sports equipment, as the Governor’s deliberate move to maximize the state’s sporting potential.
The Olympian singled out the state commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for special commendation for his efforts at translating the Governor’s sports vision into reality, describing him as the perfect fit to drive the sports revolution that is currently sweeping across the state.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has described the impressive 2026 state representation as a reflection of the sustained investment in sports development by the administration of Governor Umo Eno. He noted that the Governor’s commitment to improving sporting infrastructure, supporting athletes and creating opportunities for sports professionals has continued to produce positive results both nationally and internationally.
Mr Bassey noted that the participation of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Games will further enhance Akwa Ibom’s enviable reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sports powerhouses. Their participation, he said, also serves as an inspiration to young athletes across the state, demonstrating that with talent, discipline and the right support, international success remains within reach.
As the countdown continues to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from July 23 to August 2, featuring ten core sports and an integrated para-sports programme across four iconic venues in the city of Glasgow, the people of Akwa Ibom have every reason to look forward with pride and optimism, confident that their ambassadors will represent both the state and Nigeria with distinction while further showcasing the rich sporting potential for which Akwa Ibom has become renowned.
