The Lord’s Own Academy came out tops at the finals of the 5th Eyoto Athletics Competition that climaxed on Friday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with participants and stakeholders commending the event’s focus on grassroots talent development and strict adherence to the Under-15 age limit.
The Lord’s Own Academy dominated the competition’s final on Friday winning six gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
Behind them were Asoro Grammar School with 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals, and Ogbe Secondary School securing 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze, as second and third placed schools respectively.
The three top schools were also awarded cash prizes of two hundred thousand naira, one hundred and thousand naira and one hundred thousand naira respectively.
The Individual winners of the various events were awarded cash prizes of twenty-five thousand naira for the winners, while fifteen thousand naira and ten thousand naira were given to the second and third-placed winners respectively.
In addition, the top 10 athletes of the competition as a directive from the President of the Federation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu were rewarded with a sum of hundred thousand naira with twenty-five thousand naira to be paid to them quarterly with conditions that they continue on the path of education, come out with excellent grades and win competitions.
Earlier, in an interview with The Nigerian Observer Sports, Oluyemi Ayopo, Director of the Eyoto Athletics Competition, outlined the tournament’s vision, stating, “We are running a grassroots program; precisely, that is why we attached U-15 to the competition so that we can have them young.”
He further explained, “From there we can take it to the next level. Some of the athletes we have seen in this competition so far are those we are now using for our U-15 competition for the state. Those who have overgrown the underage competition are the ones we recommend for schools and universities in Benin and outside Benin. Eyoto Athletics Competition has been helping a lot to get grassroots athletes in Edo State and beyond.”
Ayopo also commented on the rigorous screening process to ensure fair play.
“The screening has been good so far. The officials have been using facial looks and NIN to certify that they are still under the age of 15 because the competition is strictly for U-15. For the categories, we have 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, and Long Jump. We also have about six relay races altogether.”
Eromosele Joseph, a games master from Iyogbe College, expressed his gratitude to the organizers saying, “We say a big thank you to the Edo State Government and the sponsors, Eyoto, for this championship competition. Our school, Iyogbe College, has athletes, and by God’s grace, because our athletes are one of the best in Edo State, today we are going to showcase their talents to Edo State and the world.”
Commenting on the screening process, Joseph highlighted some improvements from previous editions.
“Today, before, it was rigorous, but today it seems that they are getting the right logistics in place because today, we didn’t really stress too much because it just went smoothly throughout the registration unlike before,” he said.
Kadiri Ayomide, a participant from Asoro Grammar School, described the screening as satisfactory. *“It was fine,”* he said.
Mrs. Igbinosa Rose, a teacher from Ogbe Secondary School, shared her expectations.
“My expectation for this Eyoto Athletics Competition is to take the youth to a greater height. They are doing their screening very well. Those that are above fifteen years of age were sent out for the competition because it’s for Under-15. Hopefully, about fourteen students from my school will participate,” she said.
The Eyoto Sports Academy Athletics competition continues to solidify its reputation as a platform for discovering and nurturing young talent in Edo State, with stakeholders optimistic about the program’s potential to shape the future of athletics in the region.
