Ancient mariner and Olympian, Ruks Bazunu, has arrived in Nigeria ahead of the fifth Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays, which will hold on November 18.
Bazunu was arguably the fastest schoolboy athlete in Nigeria in the sixties, a dominance, which transited into the early seventies, with the natural progression from intercollegiate competition to the national teams, senior cadre, culminating in great races at the All Africa Games and the Munich Olympics.
Fleet-footed Bazunu later moved to the United States after the shock disappointment of the boycotted Montreal Olympics.
A couple of months ago, he returned to the country as part of the historic group that were honoured at the Wall of Fame ceremony, hosted by the International Institute for International Affairs and the Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema.
And with days to the November 18 date for the fifth GCU Relays, Bazunu has arrived full of huge expectations at this year’s finals.
“My appointment last year as GCU Relays Ambassador was most honorable and fulfilling, the more reason I came with my wife,’’ he said.
“Speaking with the young schoolboys and girls brought back memories of my early athletic days. They listened with rapt attention as I gave to them a slice of my motivational talk. I was impressed with the overall performance of the athletes.
“This time around, my expectations are huge in terms of better and improved performances resulting in better returned times,” he stated.
An increased number of schools have put in entries for the 2023 GCU Relays, with the regular legacy schools as early birds.
Still, track and field watchers are full of expectations as to which schools will question the dominance of the schools from the Effurun/Warri axis.
Besides, the early victories of Afiesere Grammar School, Ughelli and Yewa College, Ilaro in the early editions of the GCU Relays, subsequent finals have been won and dominated by the trio of Hussey College, Urhobo College and United College of Commerce, all from the Effurun/Warri axis.
Delta Secondary School, Warri, is aiming to join this league on Saturday, November 18.
The GCU Relays aim at promoting healthy competition, sportsmanship, friendship and unity amongst athletes from legacy schools across the Country.
