Bayelsa Athletics Association Selects National Youth Games Team at Samkay Meet

Around 100 secondary school students from across Bayelsa State competed in series three of the Samkay Athletics Meet held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Bayelsa Athletics Association used the event to Selects its team for the upcoming National Youth Games.

The meet featured intense competition across various events, including the 100 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, and Long Jump for both boys and girls.

In the Girls’ 100 meters race, Gagede Tamaramiebi emerged victorious, beating Princess Patrick and Gift Allison. Clement Lucky won the Boys’ 100 meters, crossing the finish line in an impressive 11.01 seconds, ahead of Itu Tokoni and Ikadei Ebikiemo.

Teibowei Samson took first place in the Boys’ 400 meters with a time of 52.50 seconds, followed by Nathan Mekioniso and Samuel Akadan. Vivian Obi claimed the top spot in the Girls’ 400 meters, clocking 1.03.41 seconds, ahead of Sonia Ofeni and Ezinne Alich.

Martha Jacob won the Girls’ 800 meters, while Samson Teibowei secured the Boys’ 800 meters title. In the Boys’ Long Jump, Ikadei Ebikiemo leapt 6.33 meters to claim victory, surpassing Nathan Mekioniso and Caleb Dorgie.

The top three performers in each event received cash prizes, with the winners earning N20,000 each, the runners-up N15,000, and the third-place finishers N10,000.

Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, Founder and CEO of Samkay Athletics Club, expressed great satisfaction with the talent displayed by the young athletes, predicting that they will dominate track and field events in the future. He called on corporations, financial institutions, multinationals, and philanthropists to support the club’s efforts to nurture these promising athletes.

Mr. Andrew Aye, Director of the State’s Sports Council, urged the athletes to aspire to greater heights. The selected team for the youth championship will be trained by experienced coaches, including Terimoh Maurice, Pius Bazighe, and Richard Torugbene.