The Cross River State Ministry of Sports has called on representatives from all secondary schools in the southern senatorial district to gather at the Sports Commission to organize teams and set dates for the commencement of the 2024 sweet Prince Cup competition at the southern senatorial district.
Special Adviser on sport, Cross River State, Hon. Ekanem Ekpenyong began by expressing gratitude to all attendees from various government secondary schools in the southern senatorial district, particularly from Calabar Municipal and Calabar South. He announced that the process of school selection for the sweet prince competition would begin, with each school’s representatives participating in a draw to determine the teams numbers to play
Hon. Ekanem emphasized the importance of fairness in the competition, urging all participants to avoid any form of cheating. Schools are responsible for their own logistics to foster a spirit of sportsmanship. He clarified that this competition is not about appearance but about showcasing the talent and skills of the students. Schools should ensure that only legitimate students from that secondary school should be allowed to participate. If any school is caught cheating by bringing machineries, it will be suspended from all future sports activities in the state. Game masters were reminded to follow sports regulations regarding timing, identification, and team member arrangements.
Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Agnes Atsu, thanked all the sports promoters from the various schools and the Special Adviser on Sports. She highlighted the importance of encouraging children to pursue sports careers and praised the governor’s efforts in promoting sports development in the state. Mrs. Atsu urged everyone involved in the competition to remain committed and supportive throughout the event.
Head of Grassroots Sports at the Cross River State Sports Commission, Mrs. Rosemary Usang, also reminded all school representatives to prioritize the security and welfare of their athletes, stressing on the fact that any student caught as machinery will be arrested before further actions
Talabi Okey assured strict disciplinary measures for both athletes and sport masters. He shared examples of coaches who had successfully groomed athletes that later returned to show appreciation for their guidance.
Chairperson of the Referee Association Cross River State Chapter, Mrs. Cecelia Ogbuji, assured the school representatives that the referees assigned to the competition have undergone rigorous training, making them highly capable of ensuring fair play. She encouraged game masters not to give up during the competition and reminded them that red cards would be issued when necessary.
In closing, Hon. Ekanem reiterated that the aim of the Cross River State Prince Cup is not just about winning but about instilling the value of sportsmanship in the students.
