The 4th edition of the SAMKAY Athletics Club/Bayelsa secondary schools athletics competition ended Tuesday, with winners emerging in various events.
The competition, which was held at the Samson Siasia sports complex in Yenagoa, saw over 300 athletes from 30 schools participate in events such as the 100metres, 400metres, 800metres, and Long Jump.
The competition was a collaborative effort between the State Ministry of Education and the State Athletics Association.
One of the standout performers of the competition was 13-year-old Ebimoboere Christopher of St. Agnes Catholic School, Yenagoa, who won the 100 metres girls event in 12:95 seconds.
Christopher’s impressive performance was followed by Gabriel Paebi of St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata.
Peabi came in second with a time of 13:15 seconds, and Jacob Martha, also of St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, took third position in 13:27 seconds.
In the 100m Boys event, Dio Roland of Model Secondary School, Sagbama, emerged victorious with a time of 11:44 seconds.
Kabowei Goodluck of Government Science and Technical College, Okaka, came in second with a time of 11:56 seconds.
Sokari Williams of Government Science Technical College, Swali, took third position in 11:77 seconds.
The 400m girls event saw Francis Unique of St. Jude’s Girls Amarata take the top spot with a time of 1:05:44secs.
This was followed by Timilaemi Eunice of Government Secondary School, Aleibiri, in 1:05:81secs, and Okuroemi Ebindu Divine of Belary Schools in 1:06:47 minutes.
In the 400m Boys event, Kabowei Goodluck of Government Science and Technical College, Okaka, won with a time of 52:91 seconds.
He was followed by Deme Yenesinivie of Government Secondary School, Ovom, in 53:68 seconds, and Noah God’spower of Community Secondary School, Aleibiri, in 55:63 seconds.
The 800m girls event was won by Igbete Innocent Victory of Government Secondary School, Ovom, with a time of 2:33:84 minutes.
She was followed by Miezaike Blessing of Community Secondary School, Ekeremor, in 2:41:56 minutes, and Ndiwari Pere-ere of Government Secondary School, Odi, in 2:42:89 minutes.
In the 800m Boys event, Noah God’spower of Community Secondary School, Aleibiri, took the top spot with a time of 2:11:09 minutes.
Goodness Goodluck of community Secondary School, Elebele, in 2:13:06 minutes, and Deme Yenesinivie of Community Secondary School, Ovom, in 2:15:01 minutes, followed, respectively.
The long jump girls finals saw Gabriel Paebi of St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, emerged victorious with a jump of 4:30m.
She was followed by Ogbare Blessing of Gbaranowei Grammar School, Okolobiri, with 4.05m, and Furo Iruosomoye of Belary Schools with 4.02m.
In the long jump boys event, Dio Roland of Model Secondary School, Sagbama, won with a jump of 5.90m.
Eric Seiyefa of Bishop Dimieri Grammar School, Ovom, with 5.50m, and Peredengikumo Shadrach of Belary Schools with 5:40m, followed, respectively.
In a speech, the Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa State, Daniel Igali, commended the organisers of the event.
“I charge other sporting associations to organise youth events like this to discover talents for Bayelsa,” he said.
Igali also stated that his ministry would continue to collaborate with relevant organisations to promote school sports.
The founder of Samkay Athletics Club, Mr Kolawole Oredipe, expressed his confidence that the young athletes from Bayelsa would dominate the track and fields in the country soon.
Oredipe is also the Vice-Chairman of Bayelsa State Athletics Association,
“The 4th edition has thrown up new talents and I am very confident that the young athletes from Bayelsa would dominate the track and fields in the country soon,” he said.