AFN Pledges To Promote Athletics In North East

By Najib Sani, Gombe

The Athletic federation of Nigeria (AFN), north-east zone has pledged to uplift athletics competitions across the six states of the region to promote increased participation.

AFN north east zonal representative, Adamu Babayo Gabarin made the pledge at the closing ceremony of the first edition of the under-17 north-east athletics championship held in Bauchi State.

Gabarin, who is the commissioner Bauchi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, expressed willingness to continue giving his best for the development of athletics and other sporting events in the region.

Represented by the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, Abdullahi Ibrahim, he explained that the first edition of the under-17 athletic championship was organised in order to identify hidden talents among the youths for future use in various zonal and national competitions.

He called on those that participated in the 2 days event but could not win a medal, to try hard ahead of the subsequent editions.

Earlier, head of technical of the Bauchi State Sports Council, Coach Bala Magaji Juwara, appreciated AFN north-east representative, Adamu Babayo Gabarin, for coming up with the initiative, saying it would encourage athletes and boost athletics events across the sub-region.

Bala Juwara said, the athletes numbering 80 both male and females, have participated in 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 as well as Long Jump categories at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium Bauchi.

After the under-17 zonal championship, Devine Gabriel from Bauchi state emerged the overall winner of the Male category with 2 Gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze, while Emmanuel Emmanuela also from Bauchi state won the female event with 3 Gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze.

On the states medals chart, host Bauchi came first with 7 Gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze, followed by Gombe, while Borno state clinched third position.

A total of 36 medals comprising 12 Gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze were won in the first edition of the under-17 north east Athletics championship.