By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Chairman of Lagos State Athletics Association/sponsor of the just concluded South/ West U~18 athletics meet for secondary schools in the South/ West zone of the country Dr. Solomon Alao has reiterated the importance of having more grassroots programmes as a prelude for talent discovery in the country even as he announced that the zone will keep up the momentum in it’s efforts at producing new Chidi Imo Innocent Egbunike, Ezinwa brothers, Mary Onyeali,Falilat Ogunkoya amongst others for the country.
He stated this Saturday during the one day U~18 South/West Athletics championship held at the Yaba College of Technology Lagos.
According to him, the tournament which drew more than 200 students from secondary schools Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun States, was put together
as part of efforts to not only discover and nurture new talents but to make the zone reclaim it’s position as the leading zone in athletes discovery in the country promising that the tournament would be sustained.
“I’m highly impressed with the tournout of young athletes in this event and their competitiveness.
Although Ondo and Oyo States,where absent but the children gave a good account of themselves and I can tell you that we’ve seen some promising athletes here. The girl that won the 400 metres race with a time of 46 seconds previously had a record of 47 secs which is an indication that she’s improving and very soon we’re going to get new Chidi Imoh, Innocent Egbunike,Ezinwa brothers, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya, Soji Fasuba amongst others and I’m happy we’re on the right track.
Alao said that the zone will continue to monitor the progress of the athletes assuring that some of them will eventually make their mark at the National Sports Festival and other championships.
Akambi Aferoke won the girls 800 m race followed by Olawale Kehinde and Falade Hannah while that of the boys was won by Kazim Issah who finished ahead of Saliu Samuel and Adeyemi Kabiru.
Long Jump girls was won by Akinsanya Islamat while Kudoro Taiwo and Eyo hope took the second and third positions.
Also in the shot put boys was won by Kareem Amir while Fade Bukola and Lasisi Lasisi Taiwo came second and third respectively. The event was rounded up with side attractions including music and dance.
