Ughelli agog for 2019 GCU Relays as organisers move against age cheat

All is set for the finals of the 2019 Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays scheduled for tomorrow at the school’s modern tartan tracks. Top dignitaries, led by the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Patrick Ukah will grace the occasion.

Also, expected at the finals is the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, as well as the GM External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli.

Representatives of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the Delta State Sports Commission are expected to join the chief host, President General World Wide GCU, Arch. Charles Ovo Majoroh.

The Local Organizing Committee, headed by the home desk administrator, Pastor Wilson Egbodje, met again last week to ensure that issues bordering on security, medicals and logistics were well managed, to ensure a hitch-free Relays competition.

And from the chairman Technical Committee, Emmanuel Elili has come innovations aimed at authenticating the athletes’ identification.“We have created a database template for all the participating schools and athletes,” he said, adding “now we require information and confirmation from the school principals about the year of entry, present class, age, sex and other vital Biodata, to forestall possible cheating.

“The idea behind this relays is to ensure the right athletes, who must be eligible, are allowed to participate in the spirit of fairness.”Fundamental to the GCU Relays is the development of outstanding secondary school athletes for the nation and the promotion of the sprints culture in which Nigeria has a comparative advantage over the marathon and other long-distance races.GCU Relays 2019 holds tomorrow at the schools’ modern tartan track built and donated by SPDC.Ex-Olympian, Moses Orode Oyiki is the GCU Relays Meet Ambassador.