GCU RELAYS 2026: ORGANISERS SECURE APPROVAL FOR NOVEMBER 14 ATHLETICS MEET
Oru Leonard
Preparations for the 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays have received a major boost following the approval of the competition venue for the November 14 athletics event.
The clearance came after a follow-up inspection by former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), and Delta State President of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), Professor Jeff Okpako.
The inspection team, which had earlier highlighted areas requiring improvement, expressed satisfaction with the level of work carried out by the Main Organising Committee (MOC) ahead of the competition.
Their earlier recommendations had prompted the organisers to intensify efforts to put the facility in good shape, with funding support from the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, popularly known as the Mariners, and its corporate partners facilitating the rehabilitation of the tartan track.
Commending the organisers, Nesiama and Okpako described the progress recorded since their previous visit as impressive and worthy of recognition.
“It is most pleasing and gratifying to note that since our last visit a lot has been done to ensure that the GCU Relays hold as scheduled. It is a most commendable feat,” they stated.
Similarly, the President General Worldwide of GCU Old Boys Association, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, praised the commitment demonstrated by members of the association, particularly their financial contributions towards ensuring the successful hosting of the competition.
Akpomudje acknowledged the support of old students across different generations and urged corporate organisations to sustain their interest in the development of grassroots athletics.
He also renewed the call for corporate support towards the complete replacement of the tartan track, which has served the institution for almost ten years.
As preparations enter their final stages, attention is increasingly focused on the competition’s potential to discover new athletics talents, particularly the athletes who will emerge as winners of the prestigious Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum awards.
The GCU Relays has established a reputation as a platform for identifying promising young athletes. Previous winners of the individual honours include Godson Oghenebrume, Sunday Akintan and Praise Ofoku, who have subsequently made progress on the international athletics scene.
Beyond the sporting competition, the annual event seeks to revive the tradition of intercollegiate athletics in Nigeria, using school sports as a vehicle for talent discovery, national integration and youth development.
Over the years, the competition has attracted participation from schools outside Delta State, including Yewa College, Ilaro, Idia College, Benin City, and Government College, Afikpo.
With the inspection team satisfied and the venue approved, organisers are now concentrating on final arrangements for the November 14 event, which is expected to provide another opportunity to discover and nurture the next generation of Nigerian athletics talents.
(Media Committee, 2026 GCU Relays, November 4, 2026)
