The Kwara State chapter of the Athletics Association of Nigeria is organising a three-day athletics championship for secondary schools in the state with the aim of grooming the youths for future leadership.

The event which features over 70 secondary schools in the state has the students taking part in high jump, relays, athletics, and other sporting activities.

At the opening ceremony, the state Commissioner for Sports, Rahmat Abaya gave assurance of the government’s efforts to ensure the discovery of sports talents from the grassroots.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Saka Onimago says the government places high premium on sports as a tool for development, prosperity and nation-building, assuring that the state is undergoing reforms in all facets and sports cannot be an exception.

The state chairman of the Athletics Association who also doubles as the sponsor of the championship, Tunde Abdulkareem noted that over three million naira has been spent on the event to groom future leaders for the state and restore its lost glory in sporting events.

Various prizes ranging from N30,000 to N50,000 will be awarded to various winners at the end of the championship.