LAGOS STATE SET FOR ALL COMMERS

Yemi Olus
March 23, 2010 12:29AM
Athletes preparing for the last National Sports Festival.

The athletics scene in Lagos State is set to witness some action, with the three-day All Commers Series holding from April 8 to 10 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Reviving athletics in Lagos
The event, which commences by 9am daily, is being organised by the Lagos State Athletics Association as part of its efforts to revive the state of athletics in Nigeria, and is open to all secondary schools, tertiary institutions and athletics clubs.

It will also be used to prepare athletes for the Lagos State Sports Festival which commences on April 12.

Some of the officials of the association include former national athletes such as Yussuf Alli; Henry Amike; Olatunde Makanju, a professor serving as the Chairman; while Segun Odunlami is the secretary.

The competition will be taking place barely one month after the Lagos State Secondary Schools Relay, and will be featuring 20 events such as 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, long jump, triple jump, 100 metres hurdles (women), 110 metres hurdles (men), shot-put, 10km walk and 5,000 metres.

Welcome development
In an interview with NEXTSports, one of the athletics coaches, Adu Umrenu, applauded the decision of the association as a welcome development:

'This is just what we need. We need more competitions to get ready for other events that will take place later in the year, such as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League that will be taking place in Lagos in June.

'Even though we have another All Comers Meet that has been organised by the Track and Field Coaches of Lagos State, we will still participate in this one. About six of my athletes are taking part and they are preparing for it.'