LAGOS – The finals of the 2nd Lagos State Premier Lotto Athletics Secondary Schools Championships ended on Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, with the setting of six new records.
The new records were in high jump (girls), short put (girls), 100m (girls), 100m (boys), 1,500m (girls) and 1,500m (boys).
The championships are Premier Lotto’s support to efforts by Lagos State Government to promote sports at the grassroots and enhance the quality lives of youths in the state.
The two-week event had participants from the six districts of the state.
Esther Isah from district three which comprised schools in Epe, Ibeju Lekki and Lagos Island set a new record in the Girls High Jump by jumping 1.45m.
Isah’s feat nullified Joy Patrick’s 1.42m record in the 2013 edition while in the Girls short put, Joy Michael of district two, threw 9.37m to displace Ojo Ojoluwatide’s 9.25m record in the maiden edition.
Other record breakers were Magdalene George 12.68 return time in 100m Girls, Sunday Emmanuel 11.50 in 100m Boys and Saka Sanusi, who finished 4.13, in the 1,500m for boys.
Akin Folarin, an official of the championships, said,“The improvement in finishing time was expected as this is championships of zealous youths.
“Every athlete at this stage wants to make it to the elite stage where more rewards and recognition are accorded.”
Saka Sanusi, 17, sprinter from Eko Akete Senior Secondary School, said it was a make-up for the 2013 edition where he came second in the finals.
“With this feat, the coast is now clear for a promising career in the sport”, Sanusi said.
According to him, the victory will accord him due recognition in the state where he hopes to begin his professional career as a sprinter.
Gold medals, a laptop and N30,000 worth of Puma vouchers were given to the champions.
Those in the second position went home with silver medals and N18,000 worth of Puma vouchers while third position got bronze medals and N12,000 worth of Puma vouchers.
Ten events were competed for at the championships. They were 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 100/110 hurdles, high jump, triple jump, relay race and short put. (NAN)
