Akwa Ibom students ready for Mobil championships grand finale

THE 1500 metres boys and girls final will herald the beginning of the end of the 14th AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championship holding at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo.

 At a pre-opening ceremony meeting held Thursday at the Stadium Complex to review the order of events, it was decided that the energy sapping 1500 metres event boys and girls should be run first.

  A review was also made affecting the initial timing of the 800 metres since it was discovered that students, who entered for the 1500 are also involved in the 800 metres.

  Friday, there will also be finals in four other events, including Javelin, Long Jump, Shot Putt and Discuss.

  There will be heats and semi finals in the sprints (100 and 200 metres) and the relays (100 and 400 metres.)

 The opening ceremony and semifinals was preceded by an introduction of the athletes to the state of the art facilities available in the stadium, including the various track markings and positions.

  Led by Coaches Lucas Ogunjimi, Gabriel Okon, Utitofon Nkantah and Solomon Abari, among others, the students learnt first hand the call room area, dressing rooms, and victory podium positions, among others.

  They were also taken through the peculiarities of field and track markings. 

  The stadium last night was wearing a new look as brand new equipment were released and installed for use during the championship. Since the stadium was commissioned, this is the first time an athletics event is holding here and this has drawn a lot of interest from indigenes of the state.

 The grand finale and closing ceremony is billed for Saturday.