January 29, (THEWILL) – Not less than 200 Student-athletes from over 30 schools across the eight Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State participated in the tracks and fields in the 4th edition of the one-day Samkay Athletics Club meet.
The one-day event which was organised in synergy with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and the Bayelsa State Athletics Association, featured 100m, 400m and 800m for boys and girls, as well as long jump and ceremonial relay races as the top finishers smiled home with cash prizes.
Ebimoboere Christopher Eberiye and Deo Williams emerged fastest girl and boy in season four of the Samkay Athletics Club meet, held at the tartan track of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Ebimoboere Christopher Eberiye, a 13-year-old student of Saint Agnes Catholic School, Yenagoa, beat other contenders to win gold in the girls’ 100m race in 12.95 Seconds as Paebi Gabriel and Martha Jacob both of Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa, finished second and third in 13.15 secs and 13.27 secs.
Born to a mother who is a retired athlete, the teenager said she hopes to grow to be a global champion someday to make her parents and the nation proud.
Deo Roland of Model Secondary School, Sagbama, clocked 11.44 seconds, outpacing Tabowei Goodluck of Government Science Technical College, Okaka, who had 11.56 secs, while Sokari Williams of Government Science Technical College, Swali, had 11.77 seconds to be crowned the boys 100m champions and he says his excitement knows no bound.
The Long jump gold in the girls’ category was won by Paebi Gabriel of Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa, with a leap of 4.30m as Blessing Ogbare of Government Secondary School, Okolobiri finished second in 4.05m and Furo Irusomoye of Belary Schools, Yenagoa, took third in 4.05m.
The boys’ competition was won by Deo Rowland of Model Secondary School, Sagbama, who leapt 5.90m, Eric Seiyefagha of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Ovom, Yenagoa, was second with 5.50m and Peredeingikumo Shedrack of Belary Schools, Yenagoa, finished third with 5.40m.
Victory Igbete of Government Secondary School, Ovom, Yenagoa, clinched the 800m girls crown in 2mins, 33.84 secs, while Blessing Miezake of Community Secondary School, Ekeremor, was second in 2mins, 41.56 secs and Ndiwari Pere-ere of Government Secondary School, Odi was third in 2mins, 42.89 secs.
Noah Godspower of Community Secondary School, Aleibiri took the top prize in the boys 800 meters in 2mins, 11.09 secs, as Goodness Goodluck of Community Secondary School, Elebele took second in 2mins,13.06 secs, as Deme Yenesinivie of CSS, Ovom was third in 2mins, 15.01 secs.
The Girls 400 meters went to Francis Unique of Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, 1 minute, 05.44 secs ahead of Timilaemi Eunice of CSS Aleibiri 1min,05.81 secs and Ebindu Divine of Belary Schools, Yenagoa 1min, 06.47 seconds.
Teibowei Goodluck of GSTC, Okaka took the boys’ 400m trophy in 52.91 secs, beating Deme Yenisinivie of GSS, Ovom in 53.68 secs and Noah Godspower of CSS Aleibiri in 55.63 secs.
First prize winners got N20,000 each, second position had N10,000 each while third place athletes went home with N5,000 each.
In a remark at a brief ceremony, Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah gave kudos to the Samkay Athletics Club for organising the meet, assuring that the Ministry would partner with the Club to groom athletes for the State.
Commissioner for Sport, Daniel Igali, while narrating his personal experience of being selected from school sports, urged the young athletes to demonstrate commitment and discipline to excel.
President of the Coaches Association of Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Opuana, said the meet organised for students by the Samkay Athletics Club was the best way to discover and harness budding talent from the grassroots to stardom.
The director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, charged the athletes to strive to do their best as some of them would be selected to represent the State in the National Youth Games and the Sports Festival.
Founder and Chief Executive of Samkay Athletics Club, Dr Kolawole Oredipe, promised to do more to organise such meets to unearth young talent from the schools.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
