The news that over 1.6m naira is up for grabs has excited students currently vying for top spots in the 14th AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships billed for the Akwa Ibom International Stadium Uyo on Saturday, March 7.

Briefing the students yesterday at the camp venue opened to prepare them for the championship, the camp commandant Dr Lucia Ituen informed them that the in addition to the prospect of winning and laying a good foundation for themselves in track and field, there are immediate gains to be reaped.

“ …….let me inform all of you that the sponsors of this programme, the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture have set aside over N1.6m cash as supplementary scholarship grant to those who will win their various events on Saturday. Every first prize winner is expected to go home with N30, 000 cash, second prize N20,000 and third prizeN 10,000”

As the students applauded, she added”  ……you can imagine one of you here winning three events and going home with N90,000. That, if you ask me is a lot of money”

The one-off scholarship grant was introduced to the programme ten years ago to help the students with their academical challenges and to alleviate the burden on their parents.

On Tuesday, the students reported to camp and it was a beehive of activities as the eager students got accreditted and expressed delight at the quality of kits distributed.

Yesterday, they were introduced to the tartan tracks of the new stadium under the tutelage of Professor Ogunjimi, Gabriel Okon, Utitofon Nkantah, Solomon Abari, Ofonbuk Okon and Daniel Umoette.

After the initial loosening up, they were taken through the basics of track and field and how to use their spike shoes.

In the afternoon session, lessons were conducted on how to set up starting blocks, etc.

This morning, the training will continue and break in the afternoon to afford the children time to rest and prepare for the heats and semi finals on Friday .

Super Eagles fringe player, Gbolahan Salami who has just returned to the Country after a botched trip to Serbian Club, Red Star Belgrade has been given the green light to resume with Warri Wolves where he had a glorious outing before the move at the end of last season.

In a short statement released to journalist on Wednesday by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, Salami has been cleared by the Management to return and the beautiful aspect of the whole thing is that the Club registered him for the CAF Confederation Cup assignment.

According to Etu, Salami will be in Warri this weekend to fight for his shirt as the situation is no longer the same before he left.

Etu said the Club in anticipation that the former Shooting Stars player would leave, recruited some young attackers and Salami will have to battle them for the No 9 shirt.

Apart from that, unlike last season, Coach Aigbogun no longer build his team around a single scorer, rather , we now have a situation where anybody can score as witnessed in the Continental Matches where we have different scorers for the four goals.

“ I can confirm to you that Salami will resume this weekend after discussing with the Management. I also spoke with him and he confirmed he will be available this weekend to fight for his shirt. The good thing is that we registered him for the CAF Cup assignment and he will have to fight it out with the rest attackers who have proved that they can fill the gap. Unlike in the past,  Coach  Aigbogun no longer build his team around one player to score, rather, he has told them, anyone can score and that is what we are doing now.” said Etu

Etu however disclosed that the condition under which Salami will operate has not been determined but said it would be resolved as soon as he arrives because he played for the club on loan last season.