It is laughable that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State chapter showcased old athletes in the name of hunting for young ones at the ongoing Local Government sports festival, majorly sponsored by the United Bank for Africa (UBA), at the the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba.
The event met to “catch them young”, was turned into a jamboree like display as those who took first,. second and third positions in all activities are athletes already used by the State Sports Commission for local and national Sports festivals.
Athletes like Innocent Chidinma, 15 years old of Benival Secondary School, Ibusa, took first in the 100 meter race under 17 first heat with previous athlete activities at Ogun and Warri.
It was gathered that some of the athletes have gone to Illorin, Benin, Lagos for Sports festivals while the boy who took first the same under 17 first heat from Agbor, is purportedly hired to run for other states during their sport events.
Lane five and six in the Senior Girls game as announced by the Master of Ceremony (MC), have been in the system as they featured in the National Youths Games.
According to the MC, Jennifer, Ofoku Praise from Warri, an 11.5 seconds runner is billed to represent Nigeria in Nairobi, Kenya, “these are already discovered talents”, one of the MC disclosed.
It was also gathered that some of he athletes have participated in sports event at Ozoro and Warri.
