The inaugural edition of the Nigerian International Athletics Association (NIAA), sponsored secondary schools Athletics Invitational will be held on Saturday, July 13, at the sports ground of Yaba College of Technology in Yaba, Lagos.
The event, the first to be sponsored by some former Nigeria track and field internationals under the auspices of the NIAA is not just for secondary schools in Lagos but all over Nigeria.
Respected athletics coach, Tony Oshekun who is the meet director told journalists over the weekend that the event is not just to identify talents at the grassroots level, it will also offer opportunities for U-20 athletes to qualify for the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru which starts late August to early September.
“The schools have always served as the breeding ground for talents and most of Nigeria’s former track and field stars behind the event started out competing in inter-house sports events in Lagos and all over Nigeria.
“Based on their rise which saw most of them winning medals for their States and the country, they understand that the best way to keep the production line active is to provide competitions at secondary school level,’ said Osheku, who has coached athletes to the final of the World Athletics Championships and the podium at the Olympics.
Osheku also disclosed that there will be competition in selected events for athletes out of school and who are still U-20.
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