Pix: Imo Deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere, MFR, flanked by Gerald Uche Lebechi, two South African guests, Hon. Chinedu Offor, member of Imo House of Assembly representing Onuimo State Constituency.
The maiden edition of Prince Eze Madumere Athletics Championship has ended with accolades from various sections of the public as Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere promises a bigger and more rewarding championship come 2016 edition.
Yesterday event which started at 9 am witnessed a large turnout of young athletes drawn from primary and secondary schools from the three senatorial zones of Imo State where ten track and field event took place ranging from 100 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 4 by 400 meters, 800 meters, long jump and high jump male and female.
In 100 meters, which was keenly contested, Nwachukwu Ekene of Nguru Secondary Commercial School, Aboh Mbaise came first at 11:59 seconds in male finales. He was followed by Amadi Clinton at 11:9 minutes of Methodist High School, Egbu Road, Owerri while Master Osuchukwu Chukwuebuka of Government secondary School, Owerri came third as he returned at 12:00 seconds.
In female 100 meters, Agu Chidinma of Holy Rosary Model Secondary school, Amaimo, Ikeduru local government area came first at 13:00 seconds. Osuagwu Chinecherem of Nguru Secondary commercial School, Aboh Mbaise came second, while Uzoagba lilian of Umuroha High School, Mbaitoli local government area came third.
In his remark, Prince Madumere described the event the beginning of realizing his aspiration of contributing immensely in sports development. He said his love for sports is not unconnected with its unifying and cohesive factor.
He also said the dearth of track and field events among other sporting activities led to his choice of the event. He observed that football seem to have taken over the sporting space in the federation and expressed need to reinvigorate track and field events, which he said Nigerian athletesmade Imo envy of others Nations. He reminded the pupils and students of the famous Chioma Ajunwa, Charity Opara, Chidi Imo and host of others. He therefore called on school management board to ensure the children engage in sporting activities to discover talents and for healthy living.
He however commended the sponsors of the event, Monarch and Company and her Managing Director in West Africa, Mr. Gerald Uche Lebechi who was an athlete for giving back to the society that exposed him to the world.
He called on other well-meaning Imolites and Nigerians to borrow a leaf from Mr. Lebechi and his company even as he declared the championship a huge success having thrown up surprises and talents from the rural areas.
Speaking further, Prince Madumere admonished Imo students to jettison cultism and other social vices urging them to utilize their spare time for sporting activities, which he said has made more famous men and women than any other vocations.
The event witnessed a crème de la crème of Imo state as House of assembly members, former political appointees and other principal officers of the government in attendance. Among the personalities present were the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Acho Ihim, Secretary General of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Hon. Chinedu offor, deputy majority leader, Imo House of assembly and other members. Meanwhile, two South Africans were also present during the heats and the finales of all the events.
Speaking earlier, the sponsor of the event, Mr. Gerald Uche Lebechi thanked Imo Deputy Governor for agreeing to allow him use his good name contribute his quota to the development of sports in the State that made him. He however expressed gladness over the contest pledging to always be part of such progress.
Sir Jude Ejiogu who represented the Governor also extolled Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere for re-invigorating sporting activities to get the children busy with their studies saying sports placed Imo State at enviable position in the past.
The students and pupils in their reactions expressed happiness for the exposure but however revealed they hardly engaged in sporting activities in the various schools.