The Cross River State Sports Commission has unveiled plans to expand the Queen’s Cup into a multi-sport grassroots development platform, positioning it as a major vehicle for discovering and nurturing young female athletes across the state.
Speaking at the official unveiling, the Chairman of the Sports Commission, Etta Lawrence Itanya, said the Queen’s Cup—an initiative of the wife of the state governor—has grown beyond a football tournament into a broader intervention aimed at youth empowerment and social impact.
He described the competition as “a foundation, not just a tournament,” noting that it is designed to support vulnerable groups, including widows and the elderly, while using sports as a tool to promote inclusion and development.
According to him, the state government is already taking steps to formalize the initiative, with a bill expected to undergo second reading at the Cross River State House of Assembly this March to establish the Queen’s Cup as a statutory foundation.
The chairman explained that while the first two editions focused primarily on football, the upcoming edition will feature seven additional sports, making it a multi-sport event targeted largely at female athletes within the Calabar metropolis and surrounding areas.
He said the expansion is intended to serve as a feeder system for larger competitions, including regional and national events such as the Niger Delta Games and the National Sports Festival.
“The Queen’s Cup is not just about winning trophies. It is about discovering talents and building a pipeline for future competitions,” he said.
He added that the competition remains free for participants, with the state providing kits and logistics support, although financial constraints have made it difficult to sustain full sponsorship of accommodation and feeding as done in earlier editions.
The chairman noted that participation has grown steadily, from six teams in the maiden edition to 13 teams last year, expressing optimism that the next edition would attract at least 36 teams from across the state.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving funding and strengthening sports development structures, urging local government officials to play a more active role in grassroots sports.
He also highlighted the significance of the tournament’s finale, traditionally held on April 10 to mark the birthday of the governor’s wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, adding that the match is played under floodlights to enhance fan experience and encourage wider attendance.
The Sports Commission further disclosed that it has introduced an online registration system to improve data collection and planning. Athletes and teams are expected to register via the commission’s website or submit physical forms, along with identification documents, to designated offices.
Officials said the data-driven approach would help track athlete development and improve future editions of the tournament.
The commission also called on private sector players to support sports development in the state, stressing that government resources alone are insufficient.
“We are building a system that will outlive individuals and continue to produce champions for Cross River State. The Queen’s Cup represents a deliberate effort to create opportunities for the girl child through sports,” he said.
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