For packaging first-of-its kind Inter-Primary Schools AthIetics Championship in Gombe State
Youngsters demonstrating the unquenchable spirit of the Nigerian resilience and durability, even prepared to run barefooted in their zeal for demonstrating their talents for the world of athletics to see
By Rasheed Adewuyi
AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) first Vice President Tafida Gadzama and Marathon legend, Abbas Muhammed commended Gombe State Athletics Association (GAA), for packaging Inter Primary Schools AthIetics Championship.
In a separate interviews, the AFN Vice president hailed the positive impact the Competition will create among pupils who participated and those that watched the event at the Pantami Stadium.
In his commendation message, Gadzama said, “I saw the revolution in athletics you have done, even better than AFN itself, and greater than any athletics competition in the country. I said it on our platform and later deleted it because they will accuse me of talking down on the federation, but that is the fact. You are indeed a blessing to the sport we love. Please keep it up.”
The former 400m Olympic Gold medalist further reiterated the need to build AthIetics and Athletes from the grassroots which he said is the future of the sport.
On his part, Marathon Legend Col. Abbas Muhammed rtd., said that Gombe State will soon reap the harvest of grassroots sports from early seed being planted at the moment by Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe.
“I’m not joking this grassroots Competition will throw up talents that would sustain the glory and positive image of Gombe State through Sports.
“Most States, like Delta, Lagos, Edo, Bayelsa, etc. that started like this year’s back, are reaping the fruit today to the envy of other sleeping states.
“I said this not to hurt any one, unless we hunt from the grassroots, nothing would be achieved with poaching already made talents which often come with negative bagages.”
He urged Government and sports loving firms and individuals to assist by sponsoring AthIetics in the State.
Over 1,017 pupils from 37 primary schools are currently participating in the 4-day Competition which also has mouth watering prices attached.
The competition is the first of it’s kind in Gombe State in recent times as it was tagged Primary Schools AthIetics Olympics.
