The highly anticipated Gombe Inter-Primary Schools Athletics Championship commenced with great enthusiasm at the renowned Pantami Stadium, attracting over 37 participating schools.
The event began with the heats of the girls’ 100m race, followed by a captivating opening ceremony that brought the participants and spectators together.
Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmad Shuaibu Gara Gombe, generously sponsored the championship as a means to uncover hidden athletic talents at the grassroots level.
He expressed his commitment to supporting athletics development and encouraged the state government, affluent individuals, and corporate organizations to join in nurturing and promoting sports at the grassroots level.
Gara Gombe outlined plans to expand the scope of the championship to include secondary schools and institutions of higher learning.
This expansion aims to identify and recruit promising athletes who can represent the state, nation, and even compete on the international stage. He applauded the Gombe State Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Local Education Authority, and the Gombe Local Government for their support and assured continued efforts to foster overall sports development in the state.
The opening ceremony was a vibrant spectacle, with 1,017 pupils participating in the march-past while Mohammed Kolo Bajoga, the Permanent Secretary of the Gombe State Ministry of Sports, took the salute.
The atmosphere was filled with joy as pupils and their proud parents danced to the lively music provided by local musicians. Notable dignitaries, including Zainab Adamu (Sports Commission Director) and Abubakar Baba Abdullahi (Local Education Scribe), graced the occasion, further elevating its significance.
The Pantami Stadium was brimming with spectators, and the covered stand was packed to capacity, underscoring the widespread support and interest in the championship.
As the competition intensifies, participants are eagerly preparing for the upcoming events, including the 50m Egg and Sack Race for boys, semi-finals of the 200m race for boys and girls, 50m Bottle Race for girls, and the 400m Bicycle Race for boys.
The organizers, led by Gara Gombe, expressed heartfelt gratitude to parents for allowing their children to participate in the four-day Athletics competition. Gara Gombe further assured parents of his unwavering commitment to the championship until Gombe produces exceptional athletes like Tobi Amusan, the world-renowned 100m hurdles champion, who has brought honor to the nation with her remarkable time of 12.12 seconds.
The Gombe Inter-Primary Schools Athletics Championship promises to be an engaging and memorable event as young athletes display their skills, determination, and potential. The competition serves as a stepping stone towards the future success of Gombe’s aspiring athletes.
