200 students for South/ West athletics meet

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

More than 200 students drawn from secondary schools in all the six states of the South West region of the country are expected to participate in the maiden South/West Athletics Meet slated for Friday at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Disclosing this to the media, Chairman of the championship, Prof. Olatunde Makanju stated that the tournament which will have in attendance the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tony Okowa will serve as a rejuvenation of athletics in the region reputed as where the sports started in the country.
According to him, they’re expecting athletes of not more than 18 years of age who will later be nurtured to represent the country at international competitions in future.
Tournament Director, Yusuf Ali while commending the chairman of Lagos State/ South West Athletics Associations Dr. Solomon Alao for sponsoring the tournament announced that all logistics have been put in place for a successful meet.
He also announced that the one-day event which kicks off by 10am will see  athletes competing in 100, 200, 400, ,800 meters, Long jump and shot put with the winners going home with goodies bags containing exercise books and other writing materials.
According to the former  Team Nigeria skipper, as part of efforts to check age cheats, all the students will be endorsed by their principals just as he announced that Lagos State government is providing timing device for the event.
Sponsor of the tournament Dr. Solomon Alao appealed to Lagosians to come out en-mass and cheer the kids to victory even as he stated that this is the beginning of what to expect in athletics in the South West region of the country.