Since her appointment as Commissioner for Sports Development in August 2023, Mrs. Agnes Atsu has led a remarkable transformation of the sports sector in Cross River State, repositioning it as a platform for youth empowerment, talent discovery and socio-economic development.
Working in line with the vision of Governor Senator Bassey Otu’s People First administration, Atsu has overseen sweeping reforms that have restored Cross River’s presence on the national sporting stage after years of decline.
When the Ministry of Sports Development was created in August 2023, it marked a turning point in the state’s approach to sports administration. Under Atsu’s leadership, the newly established ministry immediately set out to rebuild neglected infrastructure, improve athlete welfare and create opportunities for young talents across the state.
One of her first major interventions was the rehabilitation of the U.J. Esuene Stadium, which had fallen into a deplorable state. Within months, the stadium underwent significant improvements, restoring confidence in the state’s sporting facilities and laying the foundation for renewed sporting activities.
Recognising that Cross River had lost many of its talented athletes to other states over the previous fifteen years, Atsu initiated deliberate measures to attract them back while strengthening the state’s sports ecosystem. Athlete welfare received unprecedented attention, with the number of athletes receiving monthly allowances increasing from 29 to 205, while coaches benefiting from the scheme rose from 14 to 56. Casual workers also received improved monthly allowances.
She also restored government control of the State Swimming Pool and strengthened collaboration between the Ministry and the Cross River State Sports Commission, fostering a more coordinated approach to sports administration.
Under her leadership, Cross River returned to the national sporting calendar after years of inactivity. In 2023, the state successfully hosted the National Youth Games South-South Zonal Elimination Series, receiving more than 1,200 athletes and officials from across the region. Cross River also returned to the National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state’s contingent won medals and other honours.
Determined to strengthen grassroots sports, Atsu revived the Governor’s Cup Football Competition in partnership with the Cross River State Football Association, bringing organised football back to communities across the state.
In 2024, she championed the launch of the maiden Queens Cup Football Tournament in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. The competition has since become a major platform for discovering female football talents for Pelican Stars Football Club and has grown into its third edition.
The Commissioner also promoted grassroots sports through sensitisation tours across the state’s three senatorial districts while facilitating strategic partnerships with both public and private organisations to support sports development.
One of her landmark initiatives is the proposed world-class Sports Academy in Akamkpa through a partnership with Rainbow Sports North America, with Governor Bassey Otu providing land for the project.
To modernise sports administration, Atsu initiated the Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development Management and Administration Automation System (CRS MSD MAAS) alongside an interactive talent discovery platform. She also unveiled plans for the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort while securing increased government subventions for Calabar Rovers Football Club and Pelican Stars Football Club.
Her administration has equally prioritised capacity building by sponsoring coaches and technical personnel for training at the National Institute of Sports, Lagos, ensuring that sports development in the state is driven by qualified professionals.
Under her watch, Cross River expanded into new sporting frontiers with the introduction of American Football through the maiden AKETI Bowl Championship, where three athletes secured sponsorship opportunities abroad.
The Ministry also organised the second edition of the SKAT-A-THON competition in partnership with SRHD Sports, attracting over 1,500 participants from across Nigeria. Cross River equally participated in the maiden NDDC Sports Festival, producing medal-winning athletes and national camp invitees ahead of the National Sports Festival.
Atsu’s commitment to recognising excellence also saw Governor Bassey Otu reward athletes who distinguished themselves at the National Youth Games, while the Governor’s Cup continued to serve as a pipeline for emerging football talents.
Cross River further hosted the National Council on Sports, welcomed delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and honoured Miracle Usani following Nigeria’s triumph at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Through strategic partnerships with organisations including Rainbow Sports North America, Edulumen Nigeria Limited, Bokolo HSIC Group, Pitch and Play Sports Talents Limited, First Bank, Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank, the Ministry has expanded investment opportunities in sports development.
The impact of these initiatives became even more evident in 2026 when Cross River improved from the bottom of the medal table to sixth position at the NDDC Games in Edo State, recording its highest medal haul in the competition’s history. At the National Para Games in Abuja, Team Cross River also won two gold, five silver and eleven bronze medals.
The third edition of the Queens Cup expanded beyond football to include volleyball and basketball, providing more opportunities for female athletes across the state.
Despite these achievements, Atsu acknowledges that inadequate funding, ageing infrastructure, rising costs of sports equipment and facility maintenance remain significant challenges.
Looking ahead, she has outlined an ambitious roadmap that includes the domestication of the Cross River State Sports Policy, establishment of a State Sports Trust Fund, completion of the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort, CAF D Licence certification for football coaches, hosting professional golf tournaments, organising the maiden Cross River Women Run Marathon and staging the first Mini Sports Festival for the Northern Senatorial District.
Three years after assuming office, Commissioner Agnes Atsu has overseen one of the most significant revivals of sports in Cross River State. Through strategic leadership, improved athlete welfare, infrastructure renewal, grassroots development and strong partnerships, she has restored confidence in the sector and positioned Cross River to reclaim its place among Nigeria’s leading sporting states.
