Abia sets the pace at athletics championship

Abia State’s team to the inaugural edition of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Under-18 Athletics Championship, organized by Zone III of the National Sports Commission (NSC), look set to be crowned champions of the championship currently taking place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

After the first day of events, Abia State’s representatives have annexed four gold, three silver and one bronze for a total of eight medals, closely followed by hosts, Enugu, who have garnered a total of five medals - two gold, two silver and one bronze. All Sports Foundation, a private academy that is also taking part in the championship, has won a gold, a silver and five bronze medals and is occupying the third spot, while the Imo State contingent is in fourth place with one gold and silver respectively at the close of action on Thursday.

Right on track

Chief organizer of the championship, Dans Adokeye, the NSC’s coordinator for Zone III, described the performance of the young athletes at the games as awesome, adding that the aim of putting the championship together was been realized. “I must say that the main reason for putting this championship together is right on track and I make bold to say that in the nearest future, some of these athletes will be ruling the tracks not only in Nigeria but beyond,” he said.

Six more events will be decided at the close of the championship today where trophies, medals and certificates will be awarded to winners. In the concluded events, Nwogu Ann of Abia returned a time of 12.02 seconds to beat other contestants to the first position in the 100 meters dash for girls, while Enugu State’s Daniel Chukwu beat others to the top spot in the boys event with a time of 10.98 seconds.
Other winners on Thursday were Abia’s Nwokeoji Chinonso (girls 1500 meters); Enugu’s Onah Bede (boys 1500 Meters); Abia’s Chukwudike David (boys 400 meters); Egege Queen, also of Abia (girls 400 meters), as well as Anene Amara of the All Sports Foundation (girls high jump), and Joseph Okon of Imo (boys high jump).
Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/5643877-147/abia_sets_the_pace_at_athletics.csp