Angry spectators chase ‘over-age’ athlete from stadium

The fourth edition of the National Youth Games (NYG), taking place in Kwara State witnessed a major drama yesterday, as spectators at the University of Ilorin Stadium practically chased away one of the participating athletes, Olatunji Oluwaseun Soleye of Ogun State, in the 100m event on the ground that he was above the stipulated age for the Games.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that Soleye had won the 100m heat in the boys category, when his problem started.

The spectators, who felt that Soleye was above 15 years of age, registered their protest immediately by blocking the tracks and chanting ‘over age, over-age’ thereby disrupting other activities lined up at the arena.

The action of the spectators resulted to an emergency meeting of the various state representatives, and at the end, the athlete (Soleye) was disqualified.

In the final of the 100m for boys decided yesterday evening, Jason Ololuwa Olatunde of Team Lagos picked the gold medal in 11.19 seconds, while Prosper Daniel of Team Delta settled for the silver.

In the girls category, Ofukwu Praise of Delta State, won the gold in 12.08 seconds, while Umukoro Success, also of Team Delta settled for the silver medal.

Iredia Goodness of Team Delta had earlier yesterday grabbed the first gold medal in the athletics event by scaling 1.65meters in the high jump event. Kaduna State athlete, Suleiman, was second, while Precious Opinion of Bayelsa State finished third.

The 2018 edition of the National Youth Games will end tomorrow, with defending champions, Team Delta, appearing to be heading for another victory. Team Delta won three gold medals in athletics event to take its total medals haul to 23 gold, 20 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Delta also picked the gold in rugby girls category, after thrashing Team Ogun 30-0.

Team Lagos was second with 17 gold, 9 silver and 17 bronze medals, while Bayelsa was in the third position with 15 gold, 9 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Team Ogun was in the 4th position with 7 gold, 2 silver and 11 bronze medals.