Urgent repairs to the Government College Ughelli Athletics Arena have emerged as a major priority ahead of the eighth edition of the GCU Relays, scheduled for November 14, 2026, following an inspection that exposed significant defects on the facility’s tartan track.
Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, coordinator of the GCU Relays, and Professor Jeff Okpako, President of the Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the track after a final assessment ahead of the annual intercollegiate athletics competition.
The inspection team identified potholes, erosion along lane one, and damage to sections of the 100-metre area and home straight, warning that the defects could pose safety risks to athletes expected to participate in the competition.
Nesiama acknowledged the scale of the challenge but expressed hope that the most critical sections could be repaired before the event.
“Unfortunately, a couple of places look bad. But we will see what we can do before November 14, 2026,” he said.
He stressed that the damaged areas required urgent attention to minimise the risk of injuries, particularly during sprint events where track conditions are crucial to athletes’ safety and performance.
“There are a few potholes that can create serious safety issues. Even the 100m area and the home straight need retouching. Erosion has taken over some portion of lane one. It could be dangerous to the athletes,” Nesiama cautioned.
The home straight, where athletes complete their races, is among the sections requiring attention, with plans underway to engage specialists to repair the most affected areas before competition day.
Beyond the immediate repairs, the inspection has renewed calls for corporate support to construct a new tartan track, as the existing facility approaches a decade in service.
The track was constructed and donated by Shell-NNPC ten years ago as part of its corporate social responsibility commitment to the host community. Its deteriorating condition has highlighted the need for sustained investment in sports infrastructure, particularly facilities that support school athletics and grassroots talent development.
The GCU Relays was established by the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) to revive the tradition of intercollegiate athletics in Nigeria and provide young athletes with a platform to compete and develop their talents.
This year’s edition will feature several prominent secondary schools, with Edo College, Benin City, joining returning participants, including Idia College, Benin City.
Other invited schools include Federal Government College, Warri; Urhobo College, Effurun; James Welch Grammar School, Emevor; St. Peter Claver’s College, Aghalokpe; and St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, among others.
With entries now closed, attention has shifted to the final preparations, particularly the urgent work required to address the identified defects and ensure the arena is safe for competition.
While GCUOBA focuses on delivering a successful eighth edition on November 14, the longer-term challenge remains securing the corporate backing needed to replace the ageing track and preserve the GCU Relays as a platform for intercollegiate competition and grassroots athletics development in Nigeria.
