“We must continue to focus on grassroots development… if we don’t catch them young from the schools then we would have no athlete to fall back on.”
By Uzor Odigbo
The 2023 edition of Mabel Madojiemu schools athletics championships has been slated for November 2-3 as organisers plan to make the event Zonal comprising six states in the South-South region.
It was previously a Delta and Edo States affair after two editions hosted in Benin.
Speaking during a chat, sponsor of the meet and former Nigerian international athlete, Princess Mabel Madojiemu disclosed that the championships in its third edition needs to spread to other states so that junior athletes can also benefit.
“In 2023 we want to come out in a big way, we want to do a different thing,” Princess Madojiemu stated.
“the outcome of the 2022 edition was such a delight and God willing other kids from around the Zone should also benefit.
“We must continue to focus on grassroots development… if we don’t catch them young from the schools then we would have no athlete to fall back on.”
Princess Madojiemu last month sponsored some of the talents spotted in the 2022 edition to the national school sports athletics meet. and was the inspiration to go national.
Technical director of the championships, coach Mutiu Oluwa confirmed that plans are in the pipeline to make the competition bigger and better. “We are aware of the financial constraints. but between now and November we have time to work on the logistics of hosting the entire country.
“It would be fun and we are working forward to making things better for the participating schools.”
the first two editions were closed to schools within and around benin city.
Over 500 junior AthIetes participated in the second edition of the competition held in Benin, Edo State and more are expected when it goes Zonal later in the year.