It was a day of jubilation for Gombe State Athletics Academy following the marking of its one year of existence on Thursday.
Some excited athletes got cash awards and others to celebrate the event.
The Academy was established on November 7, 2023 by sports entrepreneur, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, to mitigate the dearth of youth sports talents in Gombe and the entire North East zone.
It was landmark development as the athIetes took the stage by storm when for the first time they won three medals at the Asaba 7th National Youth Games in 2023.
To commemorate the first year of the Academy, the chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association and the founder Gombe Athletics Academy Hon. Ahmad Gara-Gombe vowed to continue to render financial assistance to grassroots sports.
Recall that within six months of its creation, the Academy’s athIetes hit the podium at the MTN Youth AthIetics Championship in Plateau State where they won eight medals.
At a mini but well-attended ceremony, the athIetes alongside their parents and officials were presented with cash gifts at the Conference Hall of Gombe local education authority.
The event was also witnessed by the of education secretary Alhaji Abdullahi Sale, Gombe Local Education Authority among other dignitaries.
In his brief remarks, Alhaji Sale said, sports development rewards is a way of encouraging sports men and women towards excellence, especially teenagers, insisting that schools in Gombe shall begin to harvest young talents from now and in future.
The representative of Gombe Athletes Academy boss, Haruna Isah Kalshingi and the technical crew Sani Nuhu interfaced with the athIetes, parents and guardians to drive home the agenda of improved funding for the Academy in Gombe State.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mr Peter, said sports is not a hobby or entertainment anymore, it has turned to business and promised to assist his daughter Happiness to realise her dreams.
He expressed gratitude to Gara-Gombe for exploring and nurturing their children to this level and prayed God to bless him.
The education secretary of Gombe local Education authority finally presented the cash donations to all athletes with their parents and guardians present
Among beneficiaries include Zainab Ahmed Nafada, Blessing ikpe, Rabilu Mohammed, Happiness Peter etc.
