This is a programme after my heart. It is a programme like this that we need at this crucial time of our sports development and I am not happy that I will not be part of it” says Patience Itanyi U.S based award winning coach and ex Nigerian international

Patience called yesterday from her US base to ask after the competition and the plans that are being made to track and develop the potential stars so discovered.

“ First and foremost Akwa Ibom State is my state. I attended Secondary School Afaha Eket and during my time there was no competition like this. If there was we could have excelled. We had to struggle on our own to make names, that is why I count the present generation lucky that we have such organizations like Mobil who are ready to help set the students on the correct path” she said.

Patience wants to be connected to the chief Athletics coach of Akwa Ibom State, because she wants to know the plans that they have for the kids.

When told that the Athletics Federation Of Nigeria is also involved. The Olympian who manages most of Nigerian stars abroad said that was good news and was interested in knowing the status of the championship graduates these ten years past

“ I wish I was at Eket. But do something for me. Let me have the results of all the events.

With AFN on ground, the timings will be authentic, so get it to me as soon as possible. I am also interested in the correct ages of the students as this will help us to plan for the future.

One of our problems in the past has been that of age falsification so it is important that we work with kids who are in the correct age bracket and the younger, the better” she said.

Patience has vowed to be present in next year’s competition. All it takes is planning. Here, organizers are excited about programmes like this. Who knows, I may even get a sponsor”, she hoped.

Meanwhile, Eket Stadium, venue of the finals is wearing a new look. A beehive of activities rule the stadium as contractors have moved into site to get the stadium ready for December 10.

While the painting work had been completed by Tuesday, the grass cutting and general cleanliness of the stadium is in progress.

IAAAF certified instructor Solomon Abari arrived Eket yesterday to supervise the track marking and calibration and is to be joined today by Professor Lucas Ogunjimi. On the home front Mrs Utit Ofon Nkantah, nee Ukoh veteran sprinter who is chair person of the state wing of the National Atthletics officiating body ( NAATTO) told the media in Uyo that her body has just ended a one day refresher course to update members on the rules and regulations of the sport.