The Director General   of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye has identified with the grass root concept of the Akwa Ibom State/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships.

Yesterday in Abuja, he reacted to an invitation to attend the grand finale by commending the project.

Gbenga Elegbeleye

When told that the programme was in its 14th consecutive year and was geared towards the discovery of talent, Honourable Elegbeleye,an apostle of catch them young, was all praise for the Sponsors and the consultant Mr Paul Bassey and promised to attend.

“At the National Sports Commission, we appreciate programmes like this that are geared towards the discovery of stars, especially when they come from private concerns.

“Mobil over the years has been linked with track And field development in the country. I have heard so much about this programme and will endeavour to be part of it this time around.

“ ……I will attend. I appreciate what you are doing and will endeavour to attend” He said.

The consultant was very delighted with the response of the Director General.”…….that is the man for you. He did not allow me introduce and sell the programme to him. He just told me “Paul I will attend”.

The youths of Akwa Ibom will be delighted with his presence.

Apart from Dr Godswill Akpabio, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom who is up for a special honour by the students for contributing so much for sports development and the emancipation of the youth, The organizers have also extended invitations to the Honourable Minister of Sports Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, the President of AFN Evangelist Solomon Ogba and the YSFON President, among others.

“This is a competition that has attracted five sports ministers and two ministers of Education and we are striving to maintain the tempo this year” Mr Paul Bassey said.

Meanwhile all efforts are in an advanced stage to get the students report to camp prior to the grand finale on March 7.

“In order to get the students in tune with the modern facilities that are available at the stadium, a camp programme has   been initiated at Community Secondary School Ikot Okubo in Uyo, where the zonal finalists will be required to report, Tuesday evening, March 3.

Over 500 students are billed for this year’s programme that will commence on March 3 with the camping and end with the grand finale on March 7 after the heats and semi finals on March 6 at the Akwa Ibom Internation Stadium Uyo.