Thursday August 27, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has called for greater preparedness and improved emergency medical response in football, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of players, officials and other participants must remain a priority.
The Commissioner made the call on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation outreach organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association (AKSFA) in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (AKISEMSAS).
The programme, held at Business Lounge 2 of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, brought together representatives of football clubs and academies, medical officers, coaches, referees, Local Football Councils, match officials and other stakeholders in the game.
Addressing participants while declaring the program open, Elder Bassey commended the initiative, describing the partnership between AKSFA and AKISEMSAS as a timely and proactive step towards strengthening safety standards in football across the state.
The Commissioner also praised the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, for his global strides in the health sector, while commending AKISEMSAS for its commitment to providing prompt emergency medical services to residents of the state.
Bassey, who shared testimonies of interventions by the emergency medical agency, described AKISEMSAS as a “unique” agency, noting its dedication to saving lives in critical situations.
He particularly lauded the Samuel Umoh-led AKSFA for recognising the importance of emergency preparedness and taking the initiative to partner with the agency.
According to the Commissioner, the need for such collaboration has become even more urgent following reports of two cases within the past month in which footballers reportedly collapsed and lost their lives on the field of play.
He stressed that while incidents may sometimes be unavoidable, proper awareness, preparedness and rapid medical intervention can significantly improve outcomes during emergencies.
Earlier, the Chairman of AKSFA, Mr Samuel Umoh, said the Association initiated the collaboration because the protection of players and other football stakeholders remains fundamental to the development of the sport.
Umoh explained that the partnership with AKISEMSAS would strengthen emergency response during football activities and equip stakeholders with the knowledge required to respond appropriately to medical situations before, during and after matches.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of AKISEMSAS, Dr Etiemana Jacob, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, saying it would improve emergency response at football venues and increase awareness of basic medical procedures among football stakeholders.
Participants received both theoretical and practical training on football safety and emergency medical care, with emphasis on appropriate procedures to follow before, during and after matches.
The outreach underscores the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports’ commitment, under the leadership of Elder Paul Bassey, to promoting safer sporting environments while strengthening partnerships that protect the lives and wellbeing of athletes and other participants.
