GCU Relays returns November 14 with electronic timing, bonfire
- The 8th GCU Relays will hold on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with modern timing equipment.
- Organisers promise the biggest edition yet, reviving the traditional bonfire and more schools.
- It will be the last Relays under Albert Akpomudje's executive, whose tenure ends January 2027.
The Government College Ughelli (GCU) Relays will return for its eighth edition on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with organisers promising a bigger and better secondary schools athletics meet.
The competition, organised by the GCU Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) Worldwide, has received new technical equipment, including an electronic starting gun and the Timetronics photo-finish system owned by the Delta State Sports Commission.
Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, a World Athletics technical official who has worked at the Youth Olympic Games, said the electronic gun is more accurate than traditional guns that use pellets.
According to the sources, he said the electronic gun saves on pellets and synchronises better with the Timetronics system, giving more reliable times at the finish line.
Bigger feast promised
HRM Albert Akpomudje, the President General of GCUOBA Worldwide, said this year's event will be the last under his executive team, whose second tenure ends in January 2027.
He said the national executive committee is winding up its second tenure in January 2027, making this the last Relays to be run by his team.
Akpomudje, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the association plans to make the edition a grand send-off by increasing the number of participating schools and athletes and bringing back the traditional bonfire.
He said the goal is to restore the glory of the early editions organised by his predecessors, Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete and Arc. Chief Charles Majoroh.
Former Olympian Ruks Bazunu, the meet's ambassador, has also arrived ahead of the event. He has been travelling between Nigeria and the United States to support the competition.
Why it matters
The GCU Relays was established to develop secondary school athletics, especially sprint events, where Nigeria has traditionally done well.
For young athletes, the meet offers a rare chance to compete with proper timing equipment and catch the eye of coaches and scouts.
With the upgraded setup and a renewed push for participation, organisers hope this edition will celebrate the school's athletics heritage and create fresh opportunities for students.
