The former national president of Nigeria association of athletics technical officials ( NATO), Mr Goodluck Akpodeh as praised the organizers of the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix meet, reeling out so many advantages to the athlete and the development of Athletics.
Speaking at the Ahmadu Bello University sport complex the venue of the Grand Prix, Mr Goodluck said considering the fact that it the first year, it gives opportunity to the athlete to check their performance and fitness. The organisers tried by providing accomodations, feeding and cash price for the first , second and third place athlete in the different categories.
Reacting about people talking of the grand Prix not being a point scoring event for the athlete, he said the prix is not a league but it serves as opportunity for the athlete to make money and take care of themselves in terms of kits and other things to do with their up keep, according to him, most of the athlete are not properly taken care of by some state government, especially those not employed by the the state government.
Buttressing the advantages of the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix, assistant secretary of Kaduna coaches Association Mark orduen, said the turnout would have been more than what was recorded, in his words,” the event was scheduled for 18th and 19th of March but the change in date of the governorship election affected the turnout, a lot of athlete could not come around, despite that , the event will have a big impact on the athletes.
He said it should be a thing of joy that such an event is coming and encourage other stakeholders to emulate the organiser of the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix.
Results of some concluded events
Shotput women
1st Aniefuna Anulika- 13.00m
2nd Uzuegbu Patricia- 11.20m
3rd Muhammed Salamatu- 10.17m
Tripple jump men
1st Kalu chidozie- 15.91m
2nd Joel iheakolam- 15.20m
3rd Orekevwie justin- 14.64m
1500 metres men
1st salisu Ibrahim- 4m 2sec.86
2nd zakariya sadiq- 4min 4 secs.09
3rd John Benjamin-4min 4sec.28
100metres Female
1st Haruna Hajara-11.63
2nd Ayenuro Taiye-11.80
3rd Blessing Ehi ikpa-11.83
100metres Men
1st Oche Emmanuel-10.12
2nd Igube chinemerem-10.13
3rd Monday Ebuka-10.35
800metres Female
1st James comfort-2m 1sec
2nd Lydia Akusho-2m 13sec
3rd Verity umaru-2m 18sec
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