By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Jan. 20, 2025 (NAN) Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State is expected to lead the list of dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Gombe Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics Championship and Grassroots Football Competition set to kick off on Tuesday, at the Patani Stadium in Gombe, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that athletes, officials, and other stakeholders, including journalists, have already arrived in preparation for the much-anticipated sporting event.
According to the event programme released by the organisers yesterday, Governor Inuwa Yahaya top the list of dignitaries invited for the opening ceremony of the championships being put together by the Gombe State Athletics Association under leadership of Ahmed Gara Gombe in collaboration with the Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Limited.
The opening ceremony initially scheduled for Sunday, January 19, NAN gathered was moved to Tuesday, January 21, to allow the organisers ample time to get the competition into full swing with less distraction.
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III the Emir of Gombe, who is also the chairman of Gombe State Council Of Emir will serve as the royal Father of the Day during the opening ceremony of the competition featuring athletes from 73 schools in 11 local government areas of the Gombe State.
Other distinguish guest that will grace of the opening ceremony are Professor, Abubakar Ibrahim Njodi, the secretary to the state government, Commissioner for Eleducation in Gombe State, Professor, Aishatu Umar Maigari and his Youth and Sports counterpart, Alhaji Adamu Inuwa Pantami.
The chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmed Gara Gombe, who is also the director general of the competition, explained that the State Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), are fully behind this initiative.
The SUBEB Boss in the State, Alhaji Babaji Babadidi, will also be attendance at the opening and closing ceremonies with Barrister Sani Haruna, the ALGON Chairman Gombe State and Chairman Gombe Local Government Area.
The competition, include both public and private schools such as GDSS Dukku West, GSS Bolari East, Emerald International Academy, and Diocesan High School.
The opening ceremony will include a match pass is scheduled for Tuesday 21st January, while the closing ceremony on 25th January will feature the presentation of medals and awards to outstanding athletes and schools.
This initiative, is organized by the Gombe State Athletics Association under the leadership of Honourable Ahmad Shuaibu Gara-Gombe and sponsored by the Green White Green Sports Center. The event offers more than just competition, participants and spectators will enjoy the fully-equipped and secured Games Village, accommodation, healthcare, food, and entertainment, making it a holistic experience.
Organizers are excited about the strong response and are committed to delivering a well-organized and competitive event that will serve as a platform for nurturing future athletes and fostering collaboration among schools.
KEY DATA OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
✓ Arrival of delegates – 18th January
✓ Accreditation/Start of competition – 19th January
✓ Opening ceremony – 21st January
✓ Number of schools – 73 schools, 2,000 athIetes
✓ Number of LGA – 11
✓ Events to be competed for 26
✓ Venue – Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe Metropolis
✓ Special offer – Fully-equipped and secured Games Village, accommodation, healthcare, food, and entertainment
✓ Closing ceremony – 25th January
✓ Sponsor – Green White Green Sports Center
Participants are competing in varieties of events, including: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay.
Other events are:Shot put, Long jump, High jump, Triple jump and Javelin.
NAN also reports that the week long event is enjoying positive commendations from key athIetics stakeholders across the country.(NAN)
