Esther Okon Peter Makes History With First Gold Of 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival

Esther Okon Peter of Nsit Ibom has made history as the first gold medallist at the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.

Esther won the women’s 400m final in a time of 53.12 seconds to claim the first gold medal of this year’s festival.

Odotudo Effiong of Itu finished second in 54.22 seconds to take silver, while Unwana Udoh of Uruan won bronze after recording 56.06 seconds.

The first medals of the festival were decided on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, hours before Governor Umo Eno officially declared the Games open at a colourful opening ceremony at the Uyo Township Stadium.

The athletics events were held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, where heats for the 400m events also took place.

In the men’s 400m, the athletes who qualified for the final are Joshua Christian of Essien Udim, Samuel Patrick of Onna, Wisdom Wednesday of Uruan, Victor Marcus of Itu, Frank Mfoniso of Itu, Faith Tom of Mkpat Enin, Sampson Sampson of Nsit Ibom and Ezekiel Eno of Uruan.

The qualifiers for the boys’ 400m final are Solomon Ezekiel Udo of Eket, Godswill Samuel of Onna, Udom Daniel of Ikot Ekpene, Daniel Emmanuel of Eket, Daniel Daniel of Eket, Otobong Godwin of Onna, Favour Akan of Itu and Princewill Paulinus of Onna.

For the girls’ 400m final, Felicia Boniface of Ikot Ekpene, Janet Okon of Ibeno, Miracle Amos of Uruan, Hephzibah Okon of Ikot Ekpene, Mfoniso Ukeme of Eket, Etieno Israel of Itu, Joy Bassey of Eket and Inimfon John of Onna booked their places.

Athletics action continues on Wednesday, September 23.

Football Results

Football also got underway on Tuesday in both the male and female categories.

Male Results

• Etinan 1-4 Mbo
• Ini 1-1 Oruk Anam — Ini won 3-2 on penalties
• Udung Uko 0-3 Onna — Walkover

Female Results

• Udung Uko 0-4 Esit Eket
• Onna 3-0 Oron — Walkover
• Essien Udim 0-1 Mbo

Wednesday’s Football Fixtures

Football action continues across different venues today.

West Itam Sports Centre

10:00am — Ibeno vs Abak

12:00pm — Ikono vs Okobo

2:00pm — Ika vs Mkpat-Enin

4:00pm — Ikot Abasi vs Essien Udim

Uyo Township Stadium

10:00am — Eket vs Ikot Ekpene

12:00pm — Eastern Obolo vs Urue-Offong/Oruko

2:00pm — Etim Ekpo vs Obot Akara

4:00pm — Winner of Match 1 vs Esit Eket

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly

10:00am — Ini vs Ikono (Female)

12:00pm — Uruan vs Oruk Anam (Female)

2:00pm — Ika vs Eket (Female)

4:00pm — Urue-Offong/Oruko vs Ibeno (Female)

With the first gold medal already decided, action continues today as athletes and teams from across the 31 local government areas compete for more medals at the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.