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In an exclusive interview, the director of The Club Athletics Series Enefiok Udo-Obong, reveals what the club series is about and its growth to the development of athletics in the country.
Sydney 2000 Olympian and Gold medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, has shed more insights on the newly created club athletics series in Lagos State called The Club Athletics Series.
In an exclusive with Pulse Sports Nigeria, he stated that the series is to encourage and develop club athletics in Nigeria, while giving monetary rewards in the process, just like the Diamond League.
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Udo-Obong, who is the director of the series, spoke on what the competition is about and how it adds value to the growth of athletics in Lagos State and the country at large.
"The series is a club competition in which clubs are competing against each other for points over the four legs. At the end of the series, the club with the highest points and leading the league table wins.
"Whoever wins after the four legs will be the champion, the best club in Nigeria. So it's a club competition in which we are trying to encourage and develop club athletics in Nigeria," Udo-Obong said.
Club Athletics Series is open to all
Udo-Obong revealed that the series isn't just a Lagos State competition but is open to every club in the country.
"The competition is open to everybody that wants to come. We have clubs from Ogun State, Oyo State, and from all around. So anybody can come and enjoy the hospitality of Lagos."
The first meet of the series held at the Yabatech Sports Complex, had 24 clubs compete against each other. Top athletes such as Patience Okon, Enoch Adegoke, Joy Udo-Gabriel, and Samson Nathaniel were present to kick off their 2023 season.
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Okon won the women's 400m in 54.00s, Adegoke finished second in the men's 100m final behind rising star Kanyinsola Ajayi, Nathaniel a 400m specialist won the 100m final B, and Udo-Gabriel also had good outings in the 100m and 200m; while her club won the 4x100m relays.
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Udo-Obong also stated that plans are ongoing to hold the remaining three meets in various locations in the state. The second series will be done in Navy Town Satelite in April, the third at the University of Lagos in May, and the final leg back at Yabatech in June.
"For the second edition, other clubs can still join. But it's a disadvantage to them because the clubs that did the first edition already have points. But clubs can still join at any time," he said.
Rewards for winning clubs
Monetary rewards are in place for the top three clubs at the end of the series. However, relay teams will receive their cash prizes at each concluded meet.
"The best clubs at the end of the series will win #1 million, second #600,000, and third #400,000. But after every relay at each meet, relay teams win a total of #200,000. There are over ten relays (events), and each of those relay teams is going to go home with prizes of over #200,000 each," Udo-Obong stated.
He also believes the series will help home-based athletes prepare and be in shape for the season ahead of the National Trials, as athletes outside the country are competing in various meets weekly, especially in the US.
"Around the world, our athletes are competing in Europe, especially in the US, and all these athletes will come back to Nigeria for trials, which gives them a competitive advantage.
"So it will be nice to have events that those at home can also compete in and get themselves ready for the National trials and championships ahead of the World Championships."
Summary of Udo-Obong's career achievements
During his active years, Udo-Obong was an accomplished 400m runner that anchored the men's 4x400m relay team to a prestigious gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and attained another medal feat at Athens 2004 Olympic Games, anchoring the team to the bronze medal.
He was also a three-time National champion and a six-time medalist at the National Sports Festival.
Udo-Obong was nominated as one of the 50 most influential young Africans by African Digest in 2002, where he also captained Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, UK.
The well recognised sports administrator and fitness instructor is a recipient of the Akwa Ibom State Honours Roll, as well as a recipient of the Certificate of Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria.
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