By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Organisers of the 5th Annual Kaduna Schools Athletics Championship have disclosed that this year’s edition will hold on July 1 and 2 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
This was disclosed at a press briefing held on Friday June 17 at the Media Centre, Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
The briefing was jointly held by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), and the Coach Felix Academic and Sports Foundation (CFASF), who are jointly Organising the championship.
YSFON’s Abdulgafar Agboola said that all is set for the championship.
He said that this 5th edition is very promising, several schools have already expressed interest to participate.
Felix Osiebe of CFASF thanked YSFON for partnering his foundation since the inception of the championship in 2016.
He explained that other editions were held in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but they went on break in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
According to him, several athletes have been discovered from previous editions, including World Athletics Coach, Abdulhakeem Idris.
“Others discovered are, Peace Lekwot, since she was in JSS 1. She is a record holder in high jump and long jump.
“Elizabeth Alege also discovered in 2019, Samuel Ogazi also discovered in 2019. In 200m, he is rating in Nigeria he is number 1.
“Oyetunji Abdulazeez was discovered in 2016, and has been a promising athlete since then,” he said
Coach Felix said that Faith Academy is one of the outstanding schools from previous editions.
According to him, some of the events billed for competition are, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, long jump, javelin and mixed relays.
“We have been giving cash prizes, medals and certificates to winners, this year will not be different.
“After discovering these athletes we put them together for grooming and Kaduna has been doing well in the athletics meet a one-day meet,” he pointed out.
National Organising Secretary YSFON, Abdulrazak Usman said that so far, 10 schools have registered , but they are expecting 25 schools to register with a token of N10,000.
“At the briefing, several schools are represented by games masters and vice principals.
“The age limit for participants is 17,” he said.
It was gathered that the two-day meet is powered by MicroManna, Manna Academy and Intel.
Guest Speaker at a lecture on the sidelines will be delivered by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Yekini Ayoku.
The Chief Host of the meet is the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports, Dr. Nyam Samaila, while Special Guest of Honour, is the Technical Director Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Samuel Onikeku.
Co host, would be the Commissioner of Education Kaduna State, Halima Lawal, while Grand Patron, Engineer Musa Nimrod and Matron, Mabel Madojiemu are expected to play key roles.
The competition will have as technical partners, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development North West Zone, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Kaduna State Ministry of Sports Development, NIgeria Police Force, Nigerian Red Cross.
