28th February, 2013
A board member of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Gloria Obajimi, has commended the organisers and athletes taking part in the ongoing Premier Lotto Lagos Secondary Schools Athletics Championship at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The former national record holder told P.M NEWS Sports at the venue of the tourney yesterday that the maiden edition has far been organised according to the standard approved by the AFN.
Obajimi also expressed her excitement with the partnership of Lagos State government and the Premier Lotto to organise an athletics championship for secondary schools to meet the yearnings of the students.
She said: “For us to be able to make it right in athletics in this country we need to continue to give our young athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents. I am very happy that Lagos State, through the Ministry of Sports, has been able to partner with Premier Lotto to give our upcoming athletes a chance in this schools championship. And as you can see that the athletes themselves have not been disappointing through their performances and enthusiasms.”
Obajimi, however, tasked athletes who are participating in more than one sport to concentrate on the sport in which they know that they have the edge over the others.
The former Nigerian international also called on government and other stakeholders to support young athletes in the country, saying that it would help them remain focused in their chosen careers.
The championship that started on 25 February is scheduled to end on 9 March with numerous secondary schools participating in events such as long jump, shot put, high jump, discuss throwing, javelin, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.
—Bamidele Olowosagba