The yearly Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays got a boost during the week, with the emergence of Arik Air as sponsors of the fifth edition of the inter collegiate athletics event.
Also, ancient mariner, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide (1963 Class) of GCU, has thrown his support towards a successful 2023 edition.
In the same vein, the immediate past President General, Wide (PGWW), Charles Majoroh, has donated a trophy and monetary benefit for winners of the march past, just as he is supporting end-of-event bonfire party.
An elated PGWW Chief Albert Akpomudje was full of gratitude, as the support for the GCU relays kept pouring in, while still expecting more support for the event.
“We are full of gratitude to our sponsors, Arik Air, Ancient Mariners Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide and my predecessor, Charles Majoroh, ” he said.
He added: “Alfred Okoigun (Arco Group), Spencer Onosode (Pillar Oil & GAMSU Foundation) and Clement Djebah have exceeded my expectations.”
While these tremendous support and goodwill is being extended to the GCU Relays, the President of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), Prince Dennis Etene has solicited additional support for the Relays, urging that the event be listed among the Calendar Programme of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
“It will be fitting to have the GCU Relays listed in the AFN Calendar as we have the Sir Awoture Eleyae Invitation Athletics Meet. Good enough, your invited special guest and Chairman of AFN and Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, will be at the finals, which means that this request can be officially presented to him in person.”
According to the organisers, the cardinal objective of the GCU Relays is the fresh awakening of the inter collegiate athletics rivalry among secondary school athletes.
The 5th edition will hold on Saturday, November 18 at the GCU tartan tracks, with over 50 schools and 500 athletes expected at the finals.
