GCU Relays track needs repairs before 14 November meet, inspectors say
- Entries have closed for the eighth GCU Relays, set for 14 November at Government College Ughelli.
- Inspectors found potholes, erosion in lane one and damage to the 100m area and home straight.
- Organisers hope to fix the worst sections in time and want corporate funding for a new tartan track.
Organisers of the GCU Relays have stopped taking entries for this year's edition, scheduled for 14 November at the Government College Ughelli Athletics Arena in Delta State. The decision came after a final look at the venue, where the running surface has worn badly.
The inspection was led by the relays coordinator, retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, and Prof. Jeff Okpako, president of the Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO). Their report lists holes in the track, erosion eating into lane one, and damage around the 100-metre mark and the home straight, where races finish.
Nesiama said the worst spots could put athletes in danger. "There are a few potholes that can create serious safety issues," he said, adding that erosion on lane one "could be dangerous to the athletes."
He said the team is still hopeful of getting the most serious defects fixed before the meet. "We will see what we can do before November 14, 2026," he said.
Specialists are being lined up to work on the home straight, described in the report as the most damaged section. The organisers also want the repaired areas checked and cleared for competition before the young athletes arrive.
Why it matters for school sports
The relays were started by the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) to bring back intercollegiate athletics in Nigeria and give secondary school athletes a place to compete. This year's invited schools include Edo College, Benin City, and Idia College, Benin City, both in Edo State. Others are Federal Government College, Warri; Urhobo College, Effurun; James Welch Grammar School, Emevor; St. Peter Claver's College, Aghalokpe; and St. Patrick's College, Asaba.
For these schools, the meet is one of the few chances for their runners and jumpers to test themselves against rivals from other states. A track that is unsafe to use would take that chance away, or worse, leave a young athlete injured.
The technical team says patching the surface is only a short-term answer. The tartan track was built and handed over by Shell-NNPC ten years ago as part of its community support programme, and the team is asking companies to fund a new one.
That appeal points to a wider problem: many school sports grounds across the country have gone years without proper maintenance, leaving grassroots talent with poor facilities.
What happens next
With entries closed, the focus is on repairs. The organisers must fix the worst sections and certify the track safe before 14 November. Beyond this edition, the old boys' association is looking for corporate partners to build a replacement track and keep the relays going.
