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*_...Osayande commends PRESCO, GUINNESS, Ameosa Motors, EIRS, others for support, sponsorship, harps on regular sporting activities for young people_*
_*...Prepare for football, culture, Osayande tells schools*_
The 2nd edition of the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Athletics Championship 2024 came to a close yesterday, Friday May, 3rd amidst jubilant crowd of winners in different categories.
The games aims to build capacity and develop the psychomotor skill of secondary school students in Ikpoba-Okha local government area, had more than twenty two secondary schools participate.
Speaking on the impact of the games at the opening, the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman, Dr. Eric Osayande noted that participants, if well nurtured could represent the state and country in bigger competitions; he added that administrations must continue to discover and develop talents amongst young people.
"The essence of organizing the athletics competition for secondary schools is to bring them together and sharpen their psychomotor skill; most of them 2, 3 years from now, you will see them representing the state and country through sports."
Commending the sponsors of the athletics championship, the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman noted that his administration remains grateful to PRESCO PLC, GUINNESS NIG., Ameosa Motors, and the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), others for throwing their weight behind the games.
The 2-day athletics championship, declared open by the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman on Thursday May, 2nd, at the Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill, featured games including 100, 200, 300 and 400 metre race, mixed relay, shot put, javelin, long jump etc, for which deserving winners were rewarded handsomely for exceptional performance.
Schools including, but not limited to, Queen Ede, Non Periel, Psalm 23, Army Day, Oguola, Idogbo, Osemwende, Western Boys High School, Niger College, St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Itohan Girls Grammar School, featured prominently in the competition.
For shot put games, boys category, Daniel Okinwo of Army Day clinched 1st position at 8.86m, while Shedrack Akenuwa and Lawal Tobi, both of Niger College emerged 2nd and 3rd, at 8.65 and 8.45 respectively.
Javelin games, girls category, Tracey Osaretin of St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, came 1st at 17.60m, with Jennifer Tari of Itohan Girls Grammar School and Divine Unadiachi of St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, clinched 2nd and 3rd positions with 17.00m and 16.90m respectively.
Cash prizes, certificates of participation, sporting materials and other essentials were some of the awards carted away by participants.
The Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman has said the next edition of the Championship will feature more schools, games, ensuring the overall development of the mental and physical wellbeing of the students.
He commended the Adams Imade-led Ikpoba-Okha Secondary School Athletics Championship organizing committee for a job well done, particularly in getting many schools to participate; Osayande noted that the committe's exceptional work qualifies it for further engagement; the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman has said secondary schools across the local government area should start preparing for the football games as that is next in his administration's sports agenda.
Amongst dignitaries present at yesterday's finals were the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman, Dr. Eric Osayande, House Leader, Ikpoba-Okha, Hon. Kingsley Balogban, Secretary to Local Government, Barr. Osagie Igbinomwanhia, PS, Sports Commission, representatives of PRESCO, GUINNESS, Ameosa Motors and EIRS.
Others include Councillors of Wards 3, 4, and 8; Heads of Department, Supervisory Councilors and a host of others.
The Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman commended the officials for the organization, noting that their professionalism added significant value to the games.
The 2nd edition of the Ikpoba-Okha Secondary School Athletics Championship held Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd, May, 2024, at the Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City; it is an annual event organized by the Osayande-led Ikpoba-Okha Local Government to discover sporting talents, build students capacity and keep them off nefarious activities; students also availed themselves to register for their NIN as provided for by the Council Chairman.
Dr. Eric Osayande has said football is next in line and thereafter, culture.
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