By Ben Efe
Cross River State showed a glimpse of its athletics future, when it won the South South All Comers Athletics championships concluded last weekend at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The meet was opened to all categories of athletes from all the South South zone. Hosts Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Police and NSDC presented athletes. Over 200 athletes competed in junior, senior and elite category and products of the Cross River  grassroots athletics development programme dominated the meet.

However, the organisers lamented the absence of quality opposition from Delta State and others like Edo that sent a small contingent of athletes. “The championships was meant for all the States in the South South zone, we expected that they would bring their athletes here and gauge their preparedness for the National Sports Festival.

“However, we were not disturbed we only hope that next year they would show up. We have seen quality from our youth development programme and our athletes going to the National Sports festival,” said Bruce Ijirigho consultant to the Cross River athletics development programme.

Commenting on the championships Cross River State commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Ugbe stated that five years from now, the State will dominate Nigerian athletics with quality athletes.

“Our athletes are being groomed to compete with the best in the world. Already we have seen the results of our grassroots development programme. In the next five years we are sure to have our athletes running at the international circuit,” Ugbe declared.