A’Ibom FA, AKISEMSAS partner for Safer Football

A’Ibom FA, AKISEMSAS partner for Safer Football

By Akanimo Kufre

The Akwa Ibom State Football Association, FA, has begun discussions with the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance Systems, AKISEMSAS, on a partnership to strengthen emergency medical response at football matches and tournaments across the state.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring prompt first aid, stabilisation and evacuation of players, officials and spectators during medical emergencies and injuries. The discussions began on Wednesday, August 26, at the Nest of Champions, Uyo, during a sensitisation workshop for football stakeholders, including Local Government FA chairmen, referees, match commissioners, clubs, academies and coaches.

FA Chairman Samuel Umoh said medical support must be an integral part of football organisation, while AKISEMSAS Head, Dr Jacob Etiemana, said the agency was ready to deploy sports medicine and emergency response services to football and other sporting events. Etiemana said AKISEMSAS had carried out more than 900 stabilisations during the NDDC Games in Uyo without recorded mortality and attended to over 10,000 athletes during the first Akwa Ibom Sports Festival.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, commended the initiative, saying it would help prevent avoidable tragedies and position the state as a model for sports medicine and emergency response. He urged the FA and AKISEMSAS to extend the partnership to other sporting disciplines, particularly combat sports, with details of the proposed agreement expected to be finalised in the coming days.