By Uzor Odigbo
AthIetics events started in Day 3 after the opening ceremony with startling performance by most states on the tracks.
Delta, Edo, Lagos, Gombe, Oyo, Plateau AthIetes placed themselves into reckoning by picking the Semi-finals spot to edge into 100m finals to be decided on the closing day, officials have said.
Meanwhile, AthIetics event started with Boys and Girls 100m heats. Boys ran 11 heats while girls had a total of 12 heats.
Gombe state representatives, the Gombe Athletics Academy established by Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe won their first ever Bronze medal in Asaba NYG.
Danladi Lamech in the 1500m final decided on Tuesday clinched a bronze medal to throw his team mates into wild jubilation.
To this end, Samuel Okeke will take his turn tomorrow on the Long jump, while Mohammed Danladi will run in the para. AthIetics 100m T-46 event.
Sprinters from Edo Delta, plateau and five others have booked their places in the boys and girls 100m finals to be decided later.
Shotput event finals was also decided on Tuesday
However, Team Delta’s sprint duo of Igbigbije Clifford and Bright Gift have qualified for the final of the Boys 100 meters event after winning their semifinals to keep hopes alive of claiming medals at the ongoing National Youth Games taking place at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.
Bright Gift who ran in the second semifinals clocked the fastest time of the stage after clocking 11.11 seconds to finish as winner with Clifford Igbigbije also clocking 11.23 seconds in the first semifinal to place first.
In the Girls Category, Sunday Favour Isioma of Delta State out paced her competitors after clocking 12.44 seconds to win semifinal three while Ogbodu Excel placed third in the first semifinal behind her Anambra counterpart to book a place in the finals.
The finals of the Boys and Girls 100 meters event comes up on tomorrow evening.
