Over 600 kids from schools within and outside Lagos have registered to participate in the maiden edition of the Nigeria International Athletes Association invitational billed for July 13 at the Yaba College of Technology sport complex in Lagos.
The NIAA is an organisation made up of former Nigerian ex international track and field athletes based in the USA. Spearheading the effort to discover and groom young talents is George Lakayana Ogbeide, a former long jumper. He said in a chat that all arrangements have been made to guarantee a successful debut outing for the competition.
” First of all our aim is to give back to the sport that made most of us. Secondly, we hope that with this competition, we would identify the next talents, the future of the sport, ” said Lakayana Ogbeide.
“The long-term goal is to nurture these youngsters and ultimately assist them with securing scholarships to further their education and skills.”
He added that Lagos was chosen for the pilot edition
“Our plan is to go to other states of the federation as well. We are appealing to sports loving Nigerians and corporations to partner with us to make our goal a reality.”
The meet will see athletes compete in the sprints, 4×100, 4x400m, 800m, long jump and shot put.
Some of the schools that have entered for the competition include Brightville College, Ibadan, The Bells Comprehensive Secondary School, Ota and Faith Academy, Ota; Ogun State. FPS from Ilorin, Nigerian Tulip International College, Abuja, Victory College, Ikare, Saint Dominic, Akure; Ondo State.
