The 2023/2024 Kwara State Secondary Schools Track and Field Championship, a significant initiative aimed at reviving school sports, commenced on November 16, 2023.
The event, organized by the Kwara State Sports Commission led by Mallam Bola Mogaji in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Human Capital Development, the Teaching Services Commission, and SUBEB, focuses on grassroots sports development through secondary schools.
The championship kicked off with track and field events, traditionally known as inter-house sports, which remain the most popular in schools.
Meanwhile, Kwara State, divided into three senatorial districts—South, North, and Central—has seen enthusiastic participation across its zones.
However, the championship began in Kwara Central on November 16 and concluded on November 24. Kwara South followed, with the Omu-Aran center completing its events on November 29, 2023. Share (Saare) zone wrapped up earlier last week, and the Offa zone is expected to conclude on Tuesday.
Upon the completion of events in Kwara South, the championship will move to Kwara North, following the same format. The grand finale will be held in Ilorin, where the best athletes from secondary schools across the state will compete.
Nevertheless, this event aims to identify and nurture raw athletic talents to represent Kwara State in the upcoming National Youth Games.
The Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Bako, conveyed the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji’s message, during a meeting with sports officials and area sports coordinators at the Omu-Aran Center, Kwara South Zone.
He expressed the Commission’s commitment to making the championship an annual event and thanked the sports officials for their contributions to its success. Bako also assured that athletes discovered from the center would be considered for the National Youth Games.
Acknowledging any lapses during the program, Bako apologized and promised improvements in future editions. He extended gratitude to the Olomu of Omu-Aran, His Royal Highness Oba Abduraheem Adeoti, and the entire community for their hospitality and support.
Sports officers in the Omu-Aran center expressed their gratitude for being selected as one of the event’s centers, marking the first time the area has hosted such a championship.
The conclusion of the Omu-Aran center’s events paves the way for the final leg in the Offa center, completing the Kwara South Zone.
The Kwara State Secondary Schools Track and Field Championship is set to become a cornerstone of youth sports development in the region, promising a bright future for young athletes.
