CALABAR– The recently released medals table of the 1st Niger Delta Sports Festival 2025 held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as seen in the official report as at 8pm on April 4th, paints a rather disturbing picture of Cross River State’s sporting future.
Out of nine participating states, Cross River slumped to the bottom, placing ninth with a shameful tally of just 7 medals 1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze.
This performance is not just disappointing; it is a reflection of systemic rot and leadership hijack in the state’s sports administration. And at the center of this unfortunate decline is Orok Otu Duke, the NDDC Board Member representing Cross River State.
It is high time we ask the hard questions:
Why has the Commissioner for Sports in Cross River State been relegated to the background?
Why does Orok Duke continue to dominate and interfere in sports administration, travelling with teams and reportedly allocating millions for logistics but offering athletes and officials peanuts?
How long will the sports sector continue to serve as a personal campaign project and political ATM for a man whose eyes are clearly fixed on 2027?
The sports sector is not a political tool; it is an institution meant to nurture youth, promote excellence, and elevate the state’s pride.
Sadly, in Cross River, it has been reduced to an instrument of political theatrics and self-aggrandizement. While other states like Delta (39 medals), Bayelsa (27), and Edo (31) surged forward, Cross River lagged behind crippled by mismanagement, interference, and a blatant disregard for merit-based leadership.
We therefore call on His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, to intervene decisively. Orok Duke must be called to order. Let him face his political ambitions squarely, and allow the Commissioner for Sports to perform her duties.
The days of holding the sector hostage must end. Cross River’s young athletes deserve better. The state deserves better.
This is not about politics; it’s about accountability. A sector so vital to youth development must not be a collateral damage of personal ambition.
Cross River must rise again but that rise must begin with releasing the grip of hijackers from our sports institutions.
Patrick Unimke Atsu
atsupatrick011@gmail.com
Writes from Obudu
