No fewer than 45 schools in Oyo State will participate in this year’s edition of Lagelu FM inter-secondary school relay race.
General Manager, Splash FM/Lagelu FM stations, Mr Tunde Olawuwo, made the disclosure at a news conference on Tuesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition, the fourth in the series, is being organised by Lagelu FM, a sister station of Splash FM, co-owned by West Midland Communications.
The competition had, since its maiden edition in 2017, been a platform for discovering new talents in athletes to represent states at various levels of athletic events.
NAN reports that the competition, organised in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD), Zone I, was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Olawuwo said that the competition was aimed at discovering talented youngsters of not more than 14 years and nurturing them to stardom.
He said that the event would feature 4 by 100; 4 by 200 and mixed relay race, stating, however, that athletes who had represented the state at any level before, would not be allowed to participate in this edition.
“Initially, we planned for 20 schools, but we have about 45 schools, both public and private, already registered for the competition.
“This is not a money-making venture; it is self-funded. Participants should be 14 years and below. It is strictly for youngsters,” he said.
He said that the organisers would not tolerate any form of illegality or age manipulation, adding that any school involving in such act would be sanctioned.
Olawuwo commended Gov. Seyi Makinde for his tremendous contributions to sports development in the state.
Also speaking, FMYSD Zone I Coordinator, Mr Femi Ajao, described the competition as a development programme, saying that the efforts were aimed at developing talents.
Ajao warned that those who had participated in any competition should not come, adding it was not meant to pick the best school.
“When you are looking for talents, you don’t look for somebody who is spectacular. I don’t think we have ever given monetary reward to any athlete.
“It is about fun. We don’t want people to start cutting corners because of positions and monetary gains,” he said.
Ajao admonished school game masters to adhere strictly to the rules of the competition, urging them not to get themselves involved in any form of malpractices.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state, Mr Seun Fakorede, said that the state government would continue to support every meaningful initiative aimed at developing sports in the state.
Fakorede, who was represented by Director of Sports Administration in the ministry, Mrs Olubisi Adegoke, commended the governor for his contributions to sports development in the state.
NAN reports that the competition is scheduled for Nov. 18 at the University of Ibadan stadium complex.
