By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
Thousands of students from public and private secondary schools across Bayelsa State converged on Yenagoa for a one-day Under-15 Secondary Schools Athletics Meet organized by the Bayelsa State Athletics Association.
The event, held at Bishop Dimeari Grammar School Field and the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Ovom, attracted a massive turnout of young athletes eager to showcase their abilities in track and field.
In the 100 meters races, Evelyn Sunday of Community Secondary School, Edepie clinched the girls’ title in 13.16 seconds, ahead of Mercy Genuine of Bayelsa State Sports Academy, Asoama (13.50s) and Stella Obot of CSS Elebele (13.65s). In the boys’ category, Daniel Yorgo of Southern Ijaw Secondary School, Oporoma emerged champion with a time of 11.56 seconds, beating Augustine Godgift of Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama (11.71s) and Otokolo Preye of Bayelsa Sports Academy, Asoama (11.75s).
Field events also produced impressive performances. Dams Winner of Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama won the girls’ shot put with a throw of 8.05 meters, while teammate Iyadoghe Fidelis took the boys’ title with 11.78 meters. In the 400 meters, Embrikegbamo Emmanuel of INA, Kaiama won the boys’ race in 53.25 seconds, while Francis Unique of Saint Jude’s Girls, Amarata topped the girls’ event in 1:03.72.
Felix Ebakamo of INA, Kaiama won the girls’ 800 meters in 2:35.55, while Ikuru Emmanuel of CCSS Elebele claimed the boys’ title in 2:12.62. In the javelin, Aki Agathe of Tare Pet won the girls’ event with 19.75 meters, while Lucky Divine of CSS Okutukutu/Etegwe took the boys’ title with a throw of 37.15 meters.
Justina Samuel secured gold in the girls’ long jump with 4.75 meters, while Suoyo Saviour of Southern Ijaw Secondary School, Oporoma won the boys’ event with 5.84 meters. His teammate, Offering Peremobowei, also impressed by winning the boys’ discus with a throw of 24.90 meters.
Many participants expressed excitement over the opportunity to compete and display their talents.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association, Dr. Kola Oredipe, commended the large turnout and revealed that the competition would serve as a platform to identify and groom young athletes for the National Youth Games and other future events.
Head Coach Richard Torugbene assured that selected talents would receive proper training and development to reach elite levels, while National Treasurer of the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation and Bayelsa State Coordinator, Godwin Adagbo, praised the quality of athletes discovered at the meet.
The competition, which placed strong emphasis on field events such as long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, and discus, is part of ongoing efforts to build a solid foundation for athletics development in the state.
