Gombe State Governor to grace opening ceremony of Inter Secondary Schools Athletics Competition
The Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, will be leading a host of dignitaries to the opening ceremony of the 2025 Gombe Inter Secondary Schools Athletics Competition, scheduled for Tuesday the 21st, at the Patani Stadium, Gombe State.
The opening ceremony initially scheduled for Sunday the 19th, was moved to the 21st to allow the Organizers ample time to get the competition into full swing with less distraction.
We also gathered that the opening ceremony date was moved to fit into the busy and tight itineraries of the top dignitaries who have been invited to grace this laudable initiative by the Gombe State Amateur Athletics Association (GSAAA), under the stewardship of renowned sports analysis, commentator and an entrepreneur, Honourable Ahmed Shuaib Gara Gombe.
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR, the Emir of Gombe, who is also the Chairman, Gombe State Council Of Emir is the Royal Father Of The Day during the opening ceremony of the competition that has over a thousand athIetes from 73 schools drawn from 11 Local Government Areas of the State.
Other distinguish guest that will be part of the opening ceremony are Professor, Abubakar Ibrahim Njodi, the Secretary to the Government State, alongside the Honourable Commissioner for Education in Gombe State Professor, Aishatu Umar Maigari, as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Adamu Inuwa Pantami.
The Chairman of Gombe State Amateur Athletics Association (GSAAA), Honourable Ahmed Shuaib Gara Gombe, who is also the Director General of the 2025 Inter Secondary Schools Athletics Competition, explained that the State Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), are fully behind this initiative.
The SUBEB Boss in the State, Alhaji Babaji Babadidi, will also be attending the opening and closing ceremonies with Barrister Sani Haruna, the ALGON Chairman Gombe State and Chairman Gombe Local Government Area.
A seasoned journalist with bias for athIetics, Uzor Odigbo, told our correspondent that the competition has started effectively on Sunday in highly anticipated event at the prestigious Pantami Township Stadium situated in Gombe Metropolis and the kids are loving it.
The competition, include both public and private schools such as GDSS Dukku West, GSS Bolari East, Emerald International Academy, and Diocesan High School.
The opening ceremony will include a match pass scheduled for Tuesday 21st January, while the closing ceremony on 25th January will feature the presentation of medals and awards to outstanding athletes and schools.
This initiative, is organized by the Gombe State Athletics Association under the leadership of Honourable Ahmad Shuaibu Gara-Gombe and sponsored by the Green White Green Sports Center.
The event offers more than just competition, participants and spectators will enjoy the fully-equipped and secured Games Village, accommodation, healthcare, food, and entertainment, making it a holistic experience.
Organizers are excited about the strong response and are committed to delivering a well-organized and competitive event that will serve as a platform for nurturing future athletes and fostering collaboration among schools.
Top dignitaries expected t the opening ceremony includes; Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR, the Emir of Gombe,
Professor, Abubakar Ibrahim Njodi, the Secretary to the Government State Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, and Alhaji Adamu Inuwa Pantami, Honourable Commissioner for Education in Gombe State.
Others are ; Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari , Alhaji Babaji Babadidi, Chairman State Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Barrister Sani Haruna, the ALGON Chairman Gombe State and Chairman Gombe Local Government Area
Participants are expected to compete in varieties of events, including: 100m,
200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m ,
4x100m relay and 4x400m relay
Other events are: Shot put, Long jump,
High jump, Triple jump and Javelin
The week long event is enjoying positive commendations from key athIetics stakeholders across the country.
