By EJIRO OMONODE
The One Month postponement of the National Sports Festival scheduled to be hosted by Delta State, has ensured that the 4th edition of the Government College Ughelli Invitational Schools Track competition (GCU Relays), confirmed for Saturday, 19th November 2022, will effectively herald the feast of Sporting activities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Invited secondary schools, pan Nigeria, will be accommodated at the newly reconstructed students’ Hostel (SAPELE House) which was executed and delivered by the special purpose committee headed by Spencer Onosode.
Indeed the massive funding for the Sapele House project was driven by the GAMSU Foundation.
And for this year’s Competition (4th edition), two notable Old Boys of Government College Ughelli, Messrs Ruks Bazunu (1966 set) and Severin Ojukwu (1959) have been named as Meet Ambassadors, with the President General of the GCUOBA Worldwide, Arc Charles Majoroh extolling their past achievements as School Boys Internationals, who set enviable records during their time.
Ex-Olympian Henry Amike (1st edition), ex-Olympian Orode Oyiki (2nd edition) and
Dr. Philip Idahosa (3rd edition) were past Meet Ambassadors of the annual GCU Relays competition.
Over the years, the annual GCU Relays track competition has attracted legacy schools from across the country, whilst producing some of today’s prominent discoveries such as Godson Oghene Brume that has since represented Nigeria at the World Junior and Senior Championships.
Dominant schools at the annual GCU Relays include Afiesere Secondary School, Yewa College Ilaro, Hussey College Warri and Urhobo College Effurun alongside the host College.
Indeed, distinguished and eminent personalities have often honoured the Intercollegiate meet with Messrs Festus Ovie Agas and Seigha Porbeni representing the Delta State Governor and Chairman Delta Sports Commission respectively last year.
Corporate sponsorship has regularly been given by NNPC/Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pillar Oil and GAMSU Foundation amongst others, including high networth Old Boys of the school, who have kept the event improving with each passing year.
Strategic objective of the GCU Relays is the revival and enhancement of healthy sports rivalry among secondary schools in Nigeria as well as progressively building and cementing healthy interaction between the schools.
The annual GCU Relays is the brain child of the National Executive Council of Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) WorldWide.
Ejiro Omonode is the Chairman, GCU Relays 2022.
