ATHLETICS: WINNERS EMERGE AS SAMKAY SECONDARY SCHOOL MEET ENDS IN YENAGOA

ATHLETICS: WINNERS EMERGE AS SAMKAY SECONDARY SCHOOL MEET ENDS IN YENAGOA 

The one-day SamKay Athletics Meet for Secondary Schools have been concluded in Yenagoa with winners emerging in the 100metres boys and girls category, 400metres boys and girls, 800 metres boys and girls category as well as Long Jump for boys and girls.

Several secondary schools including the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS), St. Judes Girls Secondary School, Tessy Schools, Tare Pet Academy, Community Secondary School Biogbolo, Epie Secondary School amongst took to the tracks at the open championship, held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Monday.

In the final 100 meters boys, Clement Lucky of Government Technical College Okaka, won the race in 11:01 seconds, Itu Tokoni of BDGS in 11:22 seconds finished second place, and Ikadoi Ebikiemo of Tessy Schools came third in 11:28 seconds.

100 meters final girls, saw Gadege Tamaramiebi of Sports Academy, Asoama winning in 12:30 seconds, Princess Patrick of Epie Secondary School came second in 12:60 seconds, while Allison Gift of Holy Child School, finished third in 11:66 seconds.

In the Long High Jump male category, Ikadoi Ebikiemo of Tessy Schools came first, followed by Nathan Mekioniso of BDGS, and Dorgu Caleb of CSS Biogbolo, while in the female category, Gabriel Paebi came first after leaping 4.64 metres, Ezedakulu Faith in 4.60 meters finished second, as Gadege Tamaramiebi came third following her 4.19metres jump.

In the 800meters boys, the BDGS trio conquered, as Teibowei Samson, breast the tape first, Nathan Mekionisa came second and Kurokemelagha Ayewari finished third, while the female category saw Jacob Martha of St. Jude Girls, Teibowei Joy also of St. Jude a Girl's..and Elizabeth Odoton of CSS Biogbolo.

Cash pr

izes were awarded to the winners, as all the champions in each of the event went home with N20,000 each, runners up pocketed N15,000 each as third placed athletes were rewarded with N10,000 each.

The event also served as an avenue for the Athletics Association to spot some young talents that will represent the State at the forthcoming National Youth Games holding in Asaba, Delta State this month.

In his remarks, Chairman of SamKay Athletics Club, Dr Kolawole Oredipe, said the idea was birthed so as to provide a platform for secondary school levers to begin to believe in themselves that they can nurse their ambition in sports, through athletics.

Dr Oredipe who is also the Vice Chairman of the State Athletics Association, stressed that with the performances of the young school athletes, the future is bright for both the state and country.

"We have seen champions of tomorrow in 100m, 400m, 800m and even the long jump we just watched now, it shows that we have got the potentials here in Bayelsa, all we need to do is to give them that support, and that's what we are doing in SamKay Athletics Club".

"And for those who will be selected for the National Youth Games in Asaba, you know what to do. This is a great platform provided for you to shine and make a name for yourself and for Bayelsa. This is just the beginning, and we know that with good training and all he support you need, you will be the world beaters in the next couple of years".

Also speaking, Head of Department and Organising Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mr Aye Andrew, urged the young talents not to look back, but to remain focused and committed to their passion.

The ex-cricket and football player, emphasized that with sports and academics, their achievements in life is within their reach, adding that with zeal and commitment, their names will rule the world in the coming years.

The one-day SamKay Athletics Meet for Secondary Schools, which is the third in the series held this year, is aimed at churning out young athletes that have dreams of building a career in athletics.