All comers meet records thrill minister

The  impressive Performances  of some athletes  at the First Edition of the All Comers  Athletics Meet  in Akure over the weekend   has been described  by  Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare as awesome and a good omen of what  to expect at  the Tokyo  Olympic  Games.

Speaking  in Abuja during the Admiral  Festus Porbeni Boat Race, the Minister  said” I’m  so glad and excited that sporting activities  have resumed  after months of  suspension due to Covid-19. Last year was really challenging not only for sports but the whole world. But we are glad that this phase is gradually   fading away. First we started with the Wrestling  event in Bayelsa, The OSOM  GAMES in Abuja,   the Admiral Porbeni Boat race  in Abuja as well as  the First  All Comers  Atheletics  meet in Akure. The impressive  performances of our atheletes in all these sporting activities is an indication of what to expect  at the Tokyo Olympics. Personal best times were recorded in Akure, we also witnessed  great  feats by the Rowers at Jabi lake in Abuja. These athletes  are benchmarking their dominance  to set the tone for what to expect at the Games. We have decided  to pick only  11 sports where we have comparative  advantage. We have set our targets for those sports. I already have 2 golds marked for Boat Race in my office.  The Ministry  would lend all necessary  support to the Federations  to  prepare our atheletes  for podium success.”

Mr Dare said the Ministry  was impressed with  the collaborative  relationship between  the Ministry,  the organized private sector and individuals  who are changing the old order by investing in sports.

In  first edition of the All Comers Meet in Akure,  Enoch Adegoke  raced to a World Leading time in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.16sec to win the A final, ahead of Godson Brume who also returned a superb personal best (PB) of 10.27sec.

  In the Women event, Ese Awusa was the surprise winner, coming from the outer lane to run a PB of 14.35s (+1.5). Francis finished 2nd in 14.36sec & Stella Anyaleke 3rd in 14.53sec. Miracle Thompson finished 4th in 14.61sec.

 In the men’s 110m Hurdles, Abejoye Oyeniyi   won in a Season’s Best of 14.23s (+1.2). Samuel Osadolor finished 2nd in 14.31s & Ogieriakhi settled for 3rd place in 14.33s .

Imaobong Nse Uko commenced the  season on  a high note with a Season’s Best of 53.98s to run the fastest time in women’s 400m. The two Blessings, Ovwighoadjebre & Oladoye finished 2nd & 3rd in 55.32s and  55.38sec respectively.