Youth athletics talents are gearing up for the 2018 South East U-15 Athletics Championships, billed for February 22-24 at the Rojeny Stadium Oba, Onitsha in Anambra State.
The catch them young competition, the brain child of Patrick Estate Onyedum, was started in 2017 with the notion of discovering and grooming athletics talents in the area. Hon Onyedum, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria representing the South-East zone, submitted that the region is a catchment area for athletics, hence his decision to support the championships. He called on other athletics enthusiasts to replicate his gesture so that athletics development will spread around the country.
Some of the events include short and mid distance sprint events, discus, javelin, long jump and high jump. There will also be relay races.
“We have over 100 athletes registered for the event. Each of the five States will come with 20 athletes and of course Anambra as hosts will have at least three entries in all the events,” said coach Johnny Igboka who is coordinating the championships.
“We are expecting a keenly contested championships. This is because there are lots of athletics talents in this area and of course we are on the look out for those who are exceptionally good that we can groom to international level,” he added.
