No fewer than 500 athletes from Nigeria and three other countries are partaking in the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix which kicked off yesterday at the Ahmadu Bello University Sports stadium, Zaria.
At the opening ceremony, the director of the event, Mr Sunday Adeleye, urged the technical officials to put up a garment of professionalism and dis of equity and fairness.
“I know some of you are part of the teams or athletes in this Grand Prix. For now, I will say you have no business with the athletes, you are required to bring in equity and fairness into your work,” Adeleye warned.
He added that athletes have been training without competitions but the Grand Prix will give them the opportunity to test their fitness level.
The Grand Prix, he said, is meant to prepare Nigeria’s athletes for the All African Games, Olympics and other major events. “We are partners in progress with the Ministry of Sports for the development of sports in Nigeria.”
On the number of participating athletes and countries, he said over 700 athletes were invited but only about 500 came because of the cashless policy, adding that Nigeria universities sent in their athletes and there are athletes from three other countries.
Mr. Adeleye appreciated Hon Ibrahim Gusau, Hon Shehu Usman ABG and Ahmadu Bello University for their support.
He also encouraged schools and parents to bring their wards to the two day event taking place at the Ahmadu Bello University sports complex.
“We have an invitation relay for secondary schools and we believe it will help encourage the upcoming athletes,” said.
The events being competed for in the Grand Prix are 100m, 200m,400m, 800m,1500m, 3000m,5000m shot put, triple jump, 4x 100 and 4×400 for men and women.
Prizes to be won are N100,000 for the fairst position winners while the second and third position winners will smile home with N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.
