Baring last minute adjustments, over 36 prominent government colleges across the country and a select number of dignitaries will throng Delta State for the maiden edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Athletics Relays organised by the school’s Old Boys Association.
The event which holds on Saturday, November 17 will include eminent personalities that will add glamour to the GCU Relays.
An old boy of the school and chairman technical committee of the event Emmanuel Elili said some of the big names expected at the event are secretary to the state government, Festus Agas (an Old boy), Managing Directors of NNPC and Shell, Delta State, Commissioner for Basic Education Chiedu Ebie and the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tony Okowa,.
Former National Champions and role models, including Bruce Ijirigho, are expected at the GCU event to give motivation and inspirational talks to the group of youngsters that have been drawn from heritage schools across the country.
Music would be provided to spice up the one day event.
Elili also informed that Athletes and officials from over 36 schools in Nigeria will arrive Ughelli on Friday preparatory to the main event on Saturday.
Events on the cards include 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m Relays for both Boys and Girls. Technical Committee chairman, who heads a team that comprised Brown Ebewele and Henry Amike said as the maiden edition, efforts would be made to keep the new tartan tracks busy from decay, insisting that the Old Boys of the school would continue to spice the Shell-built six-lane tracks with more activities.
“Its not going be a one-off thing. The Old Boys will ensure the place is kept busy with more track activitives”
The historic track meet is expected to throw up potential national sprint champions, whilst reviving the age long inter-collegiate rivalries amongst heritage schools in Nigeria.
Edo College Benin, St. Gregory College Lagos, Government Secondary School Afikpo, St. Patrick Asaba, Baptist Girls Agbor and Federal Government College Warri, Igbobi College Lagos, Kings and Queens College Lagos and Government College Umuahia are some of the schools invited for the GCU Relays inaugural edition.
The technical committee chairman and former national Polevoult champion however said athletes discovered at the event would not be left stranded as plans have been made in the area scholarships to retain talents and forge ahead with their academic pursuits.