2026: GCU relays cleared for November 14 meet for Inspection
By ABIRHIRE THOMAS, Asaba.
the Main Organising Committee (MOC) intensified preparations, with financial support from the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, popularly known as the Mariners, and their corporate partners facilitating the rehabilitation of the tartan track.
Preparations for the 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays have entered their final phase following the approval of the competition venue by an inspection team ahead of the November 14 event.
The approval came after a follow-up assessment by former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd.), and Delta State President of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), Professor Jeff Okpako, who had earlier identified areas requiring improvement.
Following their initial observations, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) intensified preparations, with financial support from the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, popularly known as the Mariners, and their corporate partners facilitating the rehabilitation of the tartan track.
Satisfied with the improvements, Nesiama and Okpako commended the organisers for addressing the concerns raised during their earlier inspection.
Also speaking, the President-General Worldwide of the GCU Old Boys Association, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, applauded the progress made, particularly the financial contributions from old students across different generations.
He expressed appreciation to the Mariners for their continued commitment to the competition and renewed his appeal to corporate organisations to support the replacement of the tartan tracks, which have been in use for nearly a decade.
As preparations reach their final stage, attention is turning to the competition’s talent-discovery prospects, particularly the search for emerging athletes who could claim the Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum awards.
Previous recipients of the prestigious honours include Godson Oghenebrume, Sunday Akintan and Praise Ofoku, all of whom have gone on to make strides in international athletics.
Beyond the competition itself, the annual GCU Relays seeks to revive intercollegiate athletics as a platform for national unity, youth development and sporting excellence.
The event has previously attracted participating schools from outside Delta State, including Yewa College, Ilaro; Idia College, Benin City; and Government College, Afikpo.
With the venue approved and November 14 approaching, organisers are set for another edition of the GCU Relays, with expectations high for the discovery of promising young athletics talents.
