2026 GCU Relays gets green light for November 14 meet after inspection
The countdown to the 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays has gathered momentum after an inspection team gave the venue the green light to host the intercollegiate athletics competition on November 14.
The approval followed a follow-up assessment by former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), and Delta State President of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), Professor Jeff Okpako, who had earlier identified areas requiring attention.
Their recommendations prompted the Main Organising Committee (MOC) to accelerate preparations, with financial backing from the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, popularly known as the Mariners, and their corporate supporters helping to restore the tartan track to good condition.
Expressing satisfaction with the improvements, Nesiama and Okpako jointly commended the organisers for their response to the earlier observations.
“It is most pleasing and gratifying to note that since our last visit a lot has been done to ensure that the GCU Relays hold as scheduled. It is a most commendable feat,” they said.
President General Worldwide of GCU Old Boys Association, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, also applauded the progress, particularly the financial contributions from old students across different generations.
He expressed gratitude to the Mariners for sustaining their commitment to the competition while renewing his appeal to corporate Nigeria to support the replacement of the tartan tracks, which have been in use for almost a decade.
With preparations entering the final phase, attention will shift to the search for emerging athletics talents, particularly the next winners of the Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum awards.
Previous recipients of the prestigious honours include Godson Oghenebrume, Sunday Akintan and Praise Ofoku, who have all progressed to international athletics.
Beyond the competition, the annual GCU Relays is driven by the objective of reviving intercollegiate athletics as a platform for national unity and development.
The competition has previously attracted schools beyond Delta State, including Yewa College, Ilaro, Idia College, Benin City, and Government College, Afikpo.
With the venue cleared and November 14 fast approaching, the stage is set for another edition of the GCU Relays, with the prospect of discovering the next generation of Nigerian athletics stars.
