Coming on the heels of weighlifting and athletics triumph, two judokas from Akwa Ibom have also qualified for the Commonwealth Games coming up in Glasgow later this year.
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports on Friday, May 29, 2026, received Commonwealth Trials medalists, Enku Ekuta and Immaculata Ufot, following their impressive outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Trials organized by the Nigeria Judo Federation in Abuja.
The athletes were formally presented to the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, by the state Judo team led by coaches Kachi David and AdeSuji Adebiyi during a reception held at the Ministry of Sports.
Enku Ekuta competed in the female -63kg category, while Immaculata Ufot featured in the female -57kg category at the trials held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where the athletes distinguished themselves by qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.
Receiving the athletes and officials in his office, Elder Bassey paid glowing tributes to the judokas for once again placing Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in positive national reckoning through hard work, discipline and determination.
The Sports helmsman stated that Judo has consistently remained one of the state’s most dependable sports anytime athletes are called upon for national assignments, expressing confidence in the team’s capacity to excel at bigger international competitions.
He commended His Excellency Governor Umo Eno for laying the foundation for success
“ I will never be tired of appreciating our sports friendly Governor for all the successes we are receiving so far.
“The stand alone sports ministry, state sports festival and the availability of equipment for all the sports has started yielding excellent fruits” he said.
He commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his unwavering commitment to sports development and for instituting a reward system that continues to motivate athletes across the state to pursue excellence.
According to the Commissioner, the state government’s sustained investment in sports has continued to yield positive results, with Weightlifting, Track and Field, and now Judo recording medal-winning performances in recent national and international outings.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, confidently described the Akwa Ibom Judo team as a gold-winning team, noting that their performances at the trials further justified the state government’s continuous investment in sports development.
Mrs Ubia welcomed the athletes back from the trials, congratulated them for returning with medals and assured them of the Ministry’s sustained support as they prepare for future national and international engagements.
In her vote of thanks, Judoka Immaculata Ufot expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency the Governor for the encouragement, motivation and support extended to the athletes, noting that the gesture has inspired the team to train harder and remain committed to winning more medals for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Receiving the team alongside the Commissioner were the Director of Sports, Mrs Brigid Otton, and the Director in charge of the Coaching and Technical Unit, Coach Catherine Ekuta.
INFO/PR Unit,
Ministry of Sports.
29.05.2026.
