Chidi Imoh and Mary Onyeali remain Nigeria’s legendary sprint icons. They were products of the ever-competitive school sports in track and field athletics.
Although, they eventually found fitting flourish in the United States, the early beginnings were from the secondary schools in Enugu and Lagos.
And as the maiden Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays flag off on Saturday in Ughelli, Delta State with over 35 schools invited Pan Nigeria, expectations will be high on discovery of future Imohs and Onyealis.
At the onset, the NEC of GCUOBA had as its main objective, the dire need to contribute towards the revival of sports in both competitive and recreational areas, by closing in on athletics.
Clearly, this was based on the realization that the standard of track and field had reduced drastically in Nigeria, and the attendant frills and thrills of school sports had waned.
Indeed, the Grier Cup Athletics competition that dominated the Old Western and Midwest region sports had disappeared with its excitement and stiff contest.
Great athletes were developed from the schools and eventually for the nation.
Thankfully, with the construction of a modern and standard tartan track courtesy of Shell Petroleum Development Company, the GCUOBA was spurred into using the facility to promote the annual GCU Relays. And now, the likes of former national champions and technical committee members Emma Elili, Henry Amike and Brown Ebewele will be focusing their professional gaze on these future stars that will be burning the tracks of GCU on Saturday.
Events to be competed for include 100 metres, 200 metres, 4×100 metres, and 4×400 metres for both boys and girls. Medals and trophies are the prize for the eventual winners, who will fittingly use the GCU Relays as stepping stone to greater glory.
Igbobi College, Lagos, Notre Dame College, James Welch are some of the latest additions to the list of 35 schools, as over 200 athletes and officials are expected at this historic meat.
The GCU Relays is an annual event.
