OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Charlie Marie Academy has emerged overall champion of the second edition of the Gabriel Akinmade-Taylor (GAT) Memorial Sports Festival, clinching an impressive 30 gold, 23 silver and 15 bronze medals.
Higher Ground School followed with 4 gold, 9 silver and 11 bronze, while Charlie Marie School placed third with 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.
This year’s competition, held at the Charlie Marie Sports Arena, Eriyo Ogijo, featured eight participating schools, marking a significant expansion from the inaugural edition.
Speaking at the event, founder of the Charlie Marie Sports Arena, Evang. Adekunbi Akin-Taylor explained that the annual sports festival is held in honour of her late father.
She noted that despite the absence of sponsorship, this year’s event was larger and more engaging, with increased student participation and improved organisation.
According to her, the 2025 edition introduced several new features, including separate days for primary and secondary school contests, as well as preliminary games held a week prior.
The turnout, she said, was “much larger than last year,” and preparations were more thorough. “We made sure we drilled the children very well, and that is why the winnings were very high,” she added.
Challenges and Commitment
Akin-Taylor highlighted financial constraints as a major challenge.
Despite charging a modest monthly fee, many families struggle to afford it. “It’s not because they don’t want to pay, but because they don’t have. Some can only pay N3,000, N2,000, or even N1,000,” one and off, she explained, noting that many parents still strongly support their children’s participation, but they dont have the means.
She emphasized the academy’s role in instilling discipline, responsibility, and purpose in its students.
“Sports sharpens their brains and makes them more intelligent. When children are engaged in structured training, they stay away from negative influences,” she said. The students undergo rigorous and perseverance-focused training, which she credited for their strong performances and resilience.
The academy currently offers almost all major sporting activities, except high jump, which they hope to introduce once resources allow.
Highlights of the Competition
This year’s event featured both male and female football, a step up from last year’s male-only category, as part of efforts to prepare girls for future opportunities such as joining the national Falconets team.
Six schools contested the football event, with knockout rounds concluded the previous week.
The athletics events for primary school pupils, which were held on Monday, showcased 100m, 200m, shuttle relay, then open javelin, and shot put.
On Tuesday, the under-18 athletes competed in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 3000m, 4by 100m, 4 by 400m, mixed relays, and discus, with even some under-12 students participating to test their abilities.
A major highlight was the introduction of a 3000-metre walk race, the first of its kind in the area.
Of all the girls who began the race, only Rachael Raheem completed it, while five boys crossed the finish line to produce the top three winners.
The event featured both opening and closing ceremonies, including the symbolic Torch of Unity, which remained lit throughout the 3-day event and was extinguished at the conclusion of the games.
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