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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Bauchi State has emerged overall winner of the maiden North-East Zonal Athletics championship between five other states of the subregion.
At the end of the championships, 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 Zonal Athletics championship.
The medals were presented to the categories of winners at the closing ceremony of the maiden championship held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Stadium, Bauchi on Saturday.
Divine Gabriel from Bauchi state emerged the overall winner of the Male category with 2 Gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze, while Emmanuel Emmanuella 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.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), North-East Zonal representative, Alhaji Adamu Babayo Gabarin, vowed to uplift athletics events across the six States of the sub-region for increased participation to various competitions.
Gabarin, who is the Commissioner, Bauchi State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, expressed willingness to continue giving his best for the development of Athletics and other sporting events in the north east sub region.
The Commissioner, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, 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 will encourage athletes and boost Athletics events across the sub region.
Bala Juwara said that, the athletes numbering 80 both males and females, participated in 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 meters as well as Long Jump categories at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium, Bauchi.
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