Athletics inclined primary and secondary schools pupils in Cross River State are set to thrill as the 2013 Cross River Schools athletics championships begin on June 4, 2013.

The championships which is in its third year has produced a pool of junior athletes, some of whom won medals at the maiden Africa Youth Athletics Championships in Warri, DeltaState. Apart from shining at the continental scene, these athletes have also dominated local meets much to the admiration of other states.

The four day championships will see pupils of all the local government  areas in Cross River State competing for honours and all the best finishers will be selected and camped for further grooming by coaches of the Cross River athletics youth develop-ment programme.“Our programme is on-going. We are happy that athletes discovered here at the championships are doing well at the national level and in the continent.

“Certainly we are looking forward to discovering new talents  to provide competition for the ones we already have. Our coaches are working extremely hard to bring out the best on the athletes,” said Bruce Ijirigho, coordinator of the programme.