Bazunu, Ojukwu raise stakes ahead GCU Relays

CO-ambassadors for the 2022 Government College Ughelli (GCU Relays), Ruks Bazunu and Severin Ojukwu have raised athletes’ expectations ahead of the 4th edition, which has attracted a record of 60 schools and 550 runners.

In his early days as an athlete, Bazunu’s name rang a bell in Warri and its environs.

Severin Ojukwu (1959 Class of Sapele House) for long distance, and Ruks Bazunu (1966 Class of Forcados House) for the sprints, will serve as Role Models and Motivational Speakers at the annual Intercollegiate Athletics Competition scheduled for Saturday, November 19 at the modern Tartan Tracks of Government College Ughelli.

The appointment of the two iconic sports personalities as Ambassadors for the 2022 GCU Relays, was approved by the President General Worldwide Arc. Charles Majoroh. Their tenure is one year.

Former Nigeria hurdler, UK-based Moses Oyiki, was 2019 GCU Relays Ambassador, while Dr. Phillip Idahosa was Ambassador of 2021 GCU Relays. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the annual GCU Relays did not hold in 2020.

“I look forward to the 2022 GCU Relays with huge expectations,” Bazunu stated, adding “and it is with a great feeling of nostalgia that I will be reminiscing on the yester years.”

“To think that the Great Athletics field, where we excelled in the sixties, now boast of a Modern Tartan Track, built and maintained by NNPC/Shell is amazing and a lasting treasure to behold.”

Both GCU Relays Ambassadors are hinging their huge expectations of better and higher performance on Modern day training facilities and technology as well as the glorious future of Athletics.

According to the organisers, high level of discipline and strict adherence to active and bonafide students of the participating schools will be the watchword at the 4th edition of the GCU Relays.

“Reviving the healthy culture of Inter-collegiate rivalry amongst Secondary Schools is key to the objectives of the GCU Relays,” Ejiro Omonode, a product of the school said in a statement yesterday.