GCU RELAYS 2026: Oborevwori, Akpomudje, ORU set for Ughelli showpiece
By Abirhire Thomas
The eighth edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays is set to receive a major boost, with Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; the monarch of Ancient Olomu Kingdom, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN; and business mogul, Chief Andrew Oru, among the high-profile personalities expected at the event on Saturday.
The presence of prominent government officials, traditional rulers, corporate leaders and sports administrators is expected to add significance to the annual athletics competition, which has evolved into an important platform for discovering and nurturing young sporting talents.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborevwori; the Commissioner for Education; the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); and the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo.
For Akpomudje, the occasion comes with two significant milestones. The Ancient Olomu monarch will celebrate his first anniversary on the throne on the same day, with plans to confer traditional chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals before proceeding to the school grounds for the athletics competition.
The event will also mark his final appearance at the GCU Relays as President General Worldwide of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), ahead of the association’s leadership transition scheduled for January 2027.
The monarch confirmed the dual engagement, stating that he would first attend to activities marking his coronation anniversary before proceeding to Government College Ughelli for the relays.
One of the major issues expected to feature prominently at this year’s competition is the proposed expansion of the existing six-lane tartan track to a nine-lane facility.
The presence of government officials and influential stakeholders is expected to provide an opportunity to advance discussions on the proposed reconstruction, which could significantly improve the school’s sporting infrastructure and increase the competition’s capacity.
Chief Oru’s attendance is expected to add a nostalgic dimension to the occasion. The businessman, who competed at the same venue about five decades ago, will be returning to a sporting ground associated with his early athletic career.
His commitment to the GCUOBA community was demonstrated last year when he spearheaded fundraising efforts towards the construction of the association’s ultra-modern Lagos branch building.
Oru, Chairman of Rojitel Group and Group Executive Director/Coordinator of Global Group Aiteo, was also honoured with The Sun Newspaper’s Investor of the Year Award.
Meanwhile, the GCU Relays continues to enjoy the support of the Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU), alongside contributions from members of the Mariners community, both old and young.
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which originally constructed and donated the tartan track, also played a pivotal role in establishing the sporting infrastructure that has sustained the annual athletics tradition.
With a blend of competitive athletics, institutional heritage and renewed attention to sports infrastructure development, the eighth edition of the GCU Relays promises to be a significant occasion for Government College Ughelli and the wider Delta State athletics community.
