Gara Gombe said: In Gombe, we have only two qualified coaches. NAATO officials are nonexistent. That’s the reason we are doing this. Train the trainers first, go for a talent hunt then organise competitions. The last National Sports Festival hosted in Delta State opened my eyes on the sordid state of AthIetics in Gombe”
By Uzor Odigbo
Plans are in top gear to host the 1st Gara Gombe AthIetics Grand Prix at the prestigious Pantami Stadium in Gombe State on Monday.
The competition is planned to take place on February 20–21st, 2023
In a statement by the sponsor of the meet Alhaji Gara Ahmed Shuaibu Gombe Stated that the Athletics competition would be the first in the state aimed at fishing out new talents from Schools, Villages and Communities in the State.
Gombe who is also the substantive Chairman of the Gombe State Amateur Athletics Association said the epoch making grand prix would attract professional athletes from other states which invariably would rob off on the locals to emulate and strive.
Huge number of Athletes and officials have been invited as Events featuring at the grand prix include, 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump men and women, followed by 4×100m relay (demonstrations)
According to the programme, training and inauguration of the National Athletics Association of Technical Officials (NAATO) will take place on Monday at the Gombe State University.
NAATO officials that would coordinate the training will arrive Gombe from Lagos and Abuja on Sunday February 19th.
This He said, is aimed at boosting the number of technical AthIetics officials in the state. Upon his appointment Dr. Gara Gombe had promised to ensure proper procedure for talent hunt and provide training facilities for Athletes discovered.
“In Gombe, we have only two qualified coaches. NAATO officials are nonexistant. That’s the reason we are doing this. Train the trainers first, go for talent hunt then organise competitions. The last National Sports Festival hosted in Delta State opened my eyes on the sordid state of AthIetics in Gombe”
He also assured of sourcing for funds the training of more officials at various level for the State