By Uzor Odigbo
President of Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association worldwide Professor Oritsegbemi.O Omatete has said Nigeria is a sprint and not a marathon nation.
He made this known when Government College Ughelli played host to over 20 schools for the inaugural edition of athletics relays which turned out to be fantastic experience for the Old Boys, huge crowd and dignitaries that cheered the participating boys and girls in the athletic showpiece at the weekend in Delta state.
It was a huge gathering of schools established in the colonial era that produced the best behaved academic and sports icons in the past and present.
Igbobi College Lagos, Government College Afikpo, St Patricks College Warri and others were among 20 schools present at the sports fiesta.
GCU Old Boys president was on hand to receive the athletes and digniteries.
In his address before the start of competition, Prof Omatete said the occasion was the celebration
of everyone that had passed through GCU and those currently finding their way through the revered institution.
According to him, the annual GCU relays race will lay the foundation in identifying selecting and producing sprinters that would win laurels for Nigeria.
“Nigeria is not a Marathon nation but a sprint one, there’s no other way we can win a marathon event in the world. Sprint is our area of strenght and dominance and should be encouraged to strive.
He appreciated sponsors, athletes, students and digniteries that contributed to make the occassion a success.
The competition started with ahletes angling for dominance, having been advised to observe the rules by Sir, Emmanuel Elili, an Old Boy and the meet technical chairman.
Athletes competed in four relay events namely 4×100, 4×200, 4x400m, 100m/200m flat.
Nigeria’s 400m hurdles record holder (48.50s), Henry Amike was the meet director of the relay.
Urhobo College Warri Taiye Ayenuiru took the lead and established 30 metres gap in the anchor leg to beat her opponent from Afiesere Grammar School, going on to win the Girls’ 4x400m final for her school with a time of 3:59.80.
Praise Ofoku got one over Victory Owhovoriole in Girls’ 200m final, beating her at the line to win in 25.28s. An exhausted Owhovoriole who finished 2nd in 25.32s, thought she had the race in the bag, only for Ofoku to cross before her to secure victory. Umukoro was 3rd in 27.02s
In 400m boys, Godson Brume got the baton, it was always going to be difficult catching him as he anchored Afiesere Grammar school to victory in 42.38s.
Tega Agbagbeke (Government College Ughelli) came in 2nd in 43.38s with Hope Okoro (Urhobo College Warri) 3rd in 44.02secs.
Cheered on by the home crowd, Ayo Adeola ensured that he did not relinquish the lead in the Boys’ 4x400m, holding off Darlington Ochi from Urhobo College Warri, to secure victory for Government College Ughelli with a time of 3:27.72
The scorching sun did not deter athletes from Government College Afikpo, Ebonyi State, looking up and eagerly waiting for the gun, taking the lead-off leg for his school in the last race of Boys’ 4x100m relay.
Kudos to students of Government College Ughelli who made sure their voices were heard at the relays. If you have these ones at your event, you will never have a dull moment as they even cheer those competing against their school.
Godson Brume of Afiesere Grammar Sch. was that star of the competition after winning three gold medals with a trophy for self and school.
The competition was eventful and next year’s edition promises to be greater than the first, concludes Sir Emmanuel Elili.
