Teibowei Samson emerged as the star athlete in the One-day Athletics Meet for Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, clinching both the 400 and 800 metres events.
The highly competitive Meet, organized by Yenagoa-based Samkay Athletics Academy, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Athletics Association, saw more than 100 athletes drawn from secondary schools from across the state, jostling for honours in 100m, 400m, 800m and long jump events for both boys and girls.
Some of the schools that participated in the one-day athletics Meet, which was held at the Samson Siasia Stadium, include Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS), Ovom Yenagoa; St. Judes Girls Secondary School, Amarata; Tessy Schools and Tare Pet Academy.
The other participating schools include Community Secondary School, Biogbolo and Epie Secondary School.
In the 400 metres male event, Teibowei Samson of Bishop Dimieari Grammar School (BDGS) came tops, breasting the tape dot on 52.50secs, Nathan Mekioniso, also of BDGS came second in 53.72 secs while Samuel Akadan placed third with a time of 56.06secs.
In the female category of the 400m event, Vivian Obi dusted other contenders to clinch the top spot with a time of 1.03.41secs, leaving the second and third spots for Sonia Ofeni and Ezinne Alich respectively.
Not done with his 400m gold, Teibowei Samson was on hand again to grab the 800m gold, making it a double. BDGS had a clean sweep in the event as Nathan Mekionisa and Kurokemelagha Ayewari, both of BDGS placed second and third respectively.
Martha Jacob of St. Judes Girls Secondary School, Amarata came first in the 800m girls event, Joy Teibowei, also of St. Judes Girls Secondary School placed second, leaving Elizabeth Oduntan of Community Secondary School, Biogbolo to settle for third position.
Clement Lucky of Government Science and Technical College, Okaka came tops in the 100m boys event with a time of 11:01secs, Itu Tokoni of BDGS returned a time of 11:22 secs to finish second while Ikadoi Ebikiemo of Tessy Schools came third in 11:28 secs.
Tamaramiebi Gadege of the Sports Academy, Asoama was adjudged the best in 100m girls, winning with a time of 12:30 secs, Princess Patrick of Opolo-Epie Secondary School came second while Allison Gift of Holy Child School, finished third.
In the long jump event for men, Ikadoi Ebikiemo of Tessy Schools, who placed third in the 100m dash, came first with a leap of 6.33m. Nathan Mekioniso of BDGS, who nicked the second position in the 800m boys event, came second in the long jump with a distance of 6.15m while Dorgu Caleb of CSS Biogbolo, came third with a leap of 5.82m.
In the long jump female category, Gabriel Paebi came first after leaping a distance of 4.64 metres, Ezedakulu Faith finished second with a distance of 4.60m just as Gadege Tamaramiebi came third following her 4.19metres jump.
Cash prizes were given to the top three finishers in each event with winners going home with the sum of N20,000 each, runners up pocketed N15,000 each while third placed athletes were N10,000 richer.
The event, which was designed generally to discover budding athletes, also served as an avenue for the Bayelsa State Athletics Association to select athletes that will represent the state at the forthcoming National Youth Games holding in Asaba, Delta State from Monday, September 9, 2024.
While speaking at the event, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Samkay Athletics Academy, Dr Kolawole Oredipe, who expressed satisfaction at the number of participating schools and the level of competition, said from what has displayed at the one-day meet, the future is bright for athletics in Bayelsa and the country at large.
Dr Oredipe, who is the Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association, called on multinational oil companies, financial institutions as well as philanthropists to join hands with Samkay Athletics Academy to discover and nurture budding athletes to become world beaters tomorrow.
According to Oredipe, who is the Director General, Bayelsa State New Media, "We have seen champions of tomorrow in the 100m, 400m, 800m and even the long jump we just watched now, it shows that we have got the potentials here in Bayelsa, all we need to do is to give them that support, and that's what we are doing in SamKay Athletics Club".
"And for those who will be selected for the National Youth Games in Asaba, you know what to do. This is a great platform provided for you to shine and make a name for yourself and for Bayelsa. This is just the beginning, and we know that with good training, you will be world beaters in the next couple of years".
In his remarks, a Director in the State Sports Council, Mr Aye Andrew urged the athletes to remain focused and committed to their passion, pointing out that with zeal and determination, they will rule the world in the coming years.
