Members of the Nigeria International Athletes Association came face to face with competition starved Nigerian school kids last Saturday at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Yaba Lagos.
The number of entries for the maiden NIAA School Athletics championships simply overwhelmed the meet organisers and it dawned on the former Nigerian track and field greats present that one day would not be enough to satisfy the kids who were just eager to participate and showcase their athletics talents.
Because of the number of heats, three finals had to be run in the sprints and the races were decided with the runner with the fastest time.
” It was a good outing and a good outcome; the kids were excited competing and we the NIAA members were glad about what we have seen,” George Lakayana Ogbeide.
“We have learned a few things from this edition, next year we hope to make things better, perhaps a two-day competition.”
He urged corporate and private individuals to key into the initiative, because it would be a potential hunting ground for young athletics talents.
“We would love to have more schools. And we pray that sponsors would come in because the NIAA cannot go it alone.
“We need competitions like this to revive our athletics, it was like this we started out.” added the former long jumper.
Some of the ex-internationals present at the Championships include Ken Chimeze a founding member of the NIAA and financier, Bruce Ijirigho, Yusuf Alli, Mary Onyali, Taiwo Aladefa, Friday Enoye, Felicia Amajiali, Tony Osheku. Amina Mohammed, Fatima Mohammed Luke Abidemi-Lawal and Dr. Carolyn Adeniji nee Nwajei.
