Date: 2019-08-14

Alhaji Tunde Abdulkareem, the Chairman of Kwara Athletics Association, says the concept behind Ileya Relays is to popularise track and field events in the state.

Speaking with newsmen at the Main-Bowl of the state Stadium Complex on Tuesday, the former Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) added that the programme had been incorporated into the association’s calendar and would continue yearly.

He also said that the competition, which began with junior athletes this year, would henceforth accommodate senior and elite athletes, with invitation extended to clubs in and outside the state.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that 12 secondary schools participated in the maiden Kwara Ileya Relays on Tuesday.

Eight schools competed in both the 4×400 and 4×100 relays in male and female categories, and the athletes were also fed by the association.

In the 4×400 Girls Relays, Agbaji Secondary School, Ilorin, came first, while Ansarul-Islam Secondary School, Omu-Aran and Osi Central Secondary School, Ekiti came second and third respectively.

In the Boys category, Agbaji Secondary School came first, while Federal Government College, Ilorin, and Ansarul-Islam Secondary School, Offa, came second and third respectively.

Agbaji Secondary School also came first in both male and female categories of the 4×100 event, C&S College, Ilorin, and Ansarul-Islam, Offa, won second and third place prizes in the female event, with C&S College and Federal Government College winning the male event.

The association used the competition to select athletes ahead of the National Youth Games in September at the University of Ilorin. NAN