The 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays has received a major boost after an inspection team approved the competition venue for the November 14, 2026 athletics meet, following improvements to the tartan track.
The approval came after a follow-up inspection by former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), and Delta State President of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), Professor Jeff Okpako, who had earlier identified areas requiring attention.
Their initial observations prompted the Main Organising Committee (MOC) to intensify preparations, with financial support from the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, popularly known as the Mariners, and its corporate partners contributing to the rehabilitation of the track.
Following the latest assessment, both officials expressed satisfaction with the improvements and commended the organisers for addressing the concerns raised during their previous visit.
“It is most pleasing and gratifying to note that since our last visit a lot has been done to ensure that the GCU Relays hold as scheduled. It is a most commendable feat,” they said.
President General Worldwide of the GCU Old Boys Association, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, also praised the progress made, particularly the financial contributions from old students across different generations.
Akpomudje expressed appreciation to the Mariners for sustaining their commitment to the competition but renewed his appeal to corporate organisations to support the complete replacement of the tartan tracks, which have been in use for almost a decade.
With the venue cleared, attention is now turning to the competition itself and the emergence of promising young athletics talents, particularly the next recipients of the prestigious Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum awards.
Previous winners of the honours include Godson Oghenebrume, Sunday Akintan and Praise Ofoku, all of whom have progressed to international athletics.
Beyond the medals and individual accolades, the GCU Relays continues to pursue a broader ambition of revitalising intercollegiate athletics in Nigeria, using school sports as a platform for talent discovery, national unity and development.
The competition has also expanded its reach beyond Delta State, previously attracting participation from institutions such as Yewa College, Ilaro, Idia College, Benin City, and Government College, Afikpo.
With the November 14 date approaching and the venue officially cleared following the inspection, organisers can now focus on delivering the eighth edition of the competition and providing another platform for the discovery of Nigeria’s next generation of athletics talents.
 Relays has received a major boost after an inspection team approved the competition venue for the November 14, 2026 athletics meet, following improvements to the tartan track.){kind=link}