Miss Delight Allison Temple
By Samuel Anthony
The 2026 South-South Squash Tournament for Under-13 and Under-17 players ended at the Jacob Esuene Squash Club Court, Eket, drawing large participants and showcasing some of the most promising junior squash talents in the South-South region.
The championship, which began on January 7, recorded intense competition and further strengthened its position as a key platform for youth sports development.
A central highlight of the tournament was the participation of Miss Delight Allison Temple, an Akwa Ibom indigene and emerging continental squash champion, whose rise to prominence has been widely linked to the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, a laudable initiative of Governor Pastor Umo Eno designed to discover, nurture, and project indigenous talents onto national and global stages.
Temple, who recently emerged winner in the non-PSA Ladies’ Singles event at the 2025 All-Africa Senior Squash Championship in Kampala, Uganda, first came into the sporting limelight through her standout performance at the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
The festival provided her with early exposure, high-level competition, and institutional backing, serving as the launchpad that propelled her from local courts to continental success.
Her journey reflects the governor’s broader vision of repositioning sports in Akwa Ibom State not merely as a recreational pursuit, but as a strategic tool for youth empowerment, talent export, economic opportunity, and global recognition.
Sports stakeholders say the state sports festival has become a critical pipeline for identifying exceptional talents across multiple disciplines and grooming them for elite competitions.
At the African championship in Uganda, Temple did not just represent Nigeria she delivered the country’s only gold medal at the tournament, while three other Nigerian athletes returned with silver and bronze medals.
Her victory stood out as Nigeria’s strongest showing at the championship and a testament to the effectiveness of grassroots talent development.
Speaking in Eket on her journey, Temple said, “the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival gave me the confidence and platform to believe that I could compete beyond Nigeria.
“I won two gold medals at the State Sports Festival, one in the singles and the second one in the mixed double event.
It was from the festival that I was shortlisted and selected as one of the country’s representatives to Uganda and I was the only one who won Gold for the country”, she said.
Commending Governor Umo Eno for encouraging sports development, she said, “representing my country and winning gold in Uganda was a proud moment for me, my state, and everyone who believed in my journey. I am grateful to the Akwa Ibom State Governor and all the coaches and mentors who supported me.”
Temple’s presence at the South-South Junior Squash Tournament in Eket added prestige to the event and served as motivation to younger athletes, many of whom viewed her journey as living proof that structured state-led initiatives can transform local talent into global achievement.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who attended the event, described the tournament as an investment in the future of the state’s youth.
“This tournament represents more than just competition; it is an investment in our youth and the future of sports in Akwa Ibom and the entire South-South region. Governor Umo Eno has promised to continue to provide these young athletes with opportunities to grow, learn, and excel,” Bassey said, citing the sports festival and the ongoing sports academy in Eket.
Also present was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, who emphasized that sports initiatives such as the festival and the South-South tournament align with the governor’s grassroots sports development agenda.
“Events like this nurture talent, build character, and unify our youth. The state government remains committed to initiatives that empower young people and create pathways for excellence through sports,” Ndueso stated.
The tournament was initiated by squash enthusiast Mr. Iniobong Jacob Esuene, who noted that the championship has been sustained over several years to strengthen grassroots squash development.
“This championship continues to reveal incredible talent. Our aim is to give young players a strong foundation in discipline, focus, and sportsmanship,” Esuene said.
Spectators thronged the venue throughout the tournament, cheering young competitors and celebrating a growing success story that underscores how deliberate leadership, structured sports festivals, and consistent grassroots competitions are transforming Akwa Ibom State into a hub for sporting excellence in Nigeria.
