The 2015 edition of Lagos State Schools Sports Festival may have come and gone, but memories of the entertaining, high class competition that characterised the Track and Field events, will no doubt linger in the minds of both athletes and spectators for a long time.
Over 200 schools registered in both the Junior/Senior categories-of the competition tagged ‘Ibile Games’, which commenced on January 26, and were presented under their various districts ranging from Districts 1 to 6 depending on the school’s location.
The qualifying rounds of various events were held within the first week of the tournament at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, while the finals took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Best overall athlete at the 2014 DAWN Games (a competition organised for all students in South- West part of the country), Ruth Usoro of National College Gbagada, won the first GOLD medal of the competition in the senior girls Long Jump with a leap of 5.84m. Oluwafemi Tope of FSTC Yaba, won the boys category with a leap of 6.26m.
In other field events, Obiora Ebuka of Federal Government College Ijanikin, was the standout athlete as he won both the Long jump and Triple Jump events in the junior category with 5.71m and 11.97m respectively. Ukah Chukwumah of White Sands Lekki, won the Senior Boys’ Triple Jump with 13.47m.
Omatsola Nere made it a white wash in the Senior Boys’ High Jump event, going over the 1.80m mark ahead of second placed Ajanu Oluwaseun who cleared 1.70m. In Senior Boys’ Shot Put event, Egwim Powell was the surprise winner ahead of Silver medallist at 2014 National Schools Sports Festival (NSSF), Odugbesan Isaac with his throw of 15.36m, while Odugbesan threw 14.78m. Egwim made it a double as he also struck GOLD in the Discus throw.
A few days later, Usoro made it DOUBLE GOLD by winning the 200m in 26.45s, while Ibegunam Blessing of Navy Town Junior Secondary School won the junior category in 28.89s. Oguma Ese, a Silver medallist in the 2014 edition, left no stone unturned this time around as he won the 200m title with an impressive 23.41s.
The 100m event was keenly contested in both the Junior/Senior categories Usoro failed to make it a sprint double GOLD as she lost the race to surprise winner Joy Udo- Gabriel of Stars International College who won in 12.91s, while Oguma emerged sprints DOUBLE CHAMPION , dominating his race in 11.92s.
In 400m Senior Boys’ final, Falolu Timilehin of Army Child Secondary School took the day in 53.11s, while Edun Feyisara of Ijaiye Ojokoro Secondary School, won the Girls’ event in 60.54s. Alabi Aminat also of Army Child Senior Secondary School won the Girls’ 800m race in a time of 2:21.63s.
Igbuwalo Festus of Aladura Comprehensive Junior Secondary School won the Boys category in 12.63s, while Blessing Inaowhe of Ogudu Junior won it for the girls in 14.10s. Oguma stamped his mark as the Top Sprinter of the Games as he once again anchored his district to a GOLD medal in the 4x100m in 45.29s relay, with Usoro also anchoring hers to victory in 50.89s.
Speaking to Making of Champions after his triumph in the relays, an elated Oguma said “I am happy and so grateful to God because I prayed and worked so hard for this, and it’s a reality now. The 100m was very competitive but the 200m was a little easier for me because I had the technique already. I look forward to representing Nigeria at international level and win medals in the process”.
Reacting to her success after her race, the new 100m Senior Girls’ state champion, Joy Udo- Gabriel said “I didn’t really expect to win because of the presence of Usoro, but I knew I had to win for myself. Now I have to start to train professionally so I can do better at international competitions, because I didn’t even train for this; I just came on the track to do my best”.
Special students also participated in the track events and Wesley School (for the deaf), State Junior Grammar School, Surulere, Doestdot College, Idimu, emerged top three. Felicia Ofogetan of State Senior Grammar School won in the Girls’ category, while Friday Bolu of State Junior Grammar School came tops in the Boys’ event.
In his closing address, Host Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola enjoined all the students to focus on their studies even as they continue to excel in their sporting career. He commended the organisers of the Festival for a job well done.
The chairman of the Main Organising Committee and Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, also hailed the spirit of sportsmanship of the participating athletes.
Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Council, Dr. Kweku Tandoh said, “From the array of budding talents identified in all the sports competed in, we are further convinced that a deliberate and consistent schools sports development focus is the right way forward to sporting excellence.”
