By Mahdi Waziri Isa & Denis Demenenge
The 2021 Confederation of African Athletics Region II U20 & Seniors Championships, which were flagged off in Zaria last Saturday by His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, which was rounded off on Tuesday 1st June, 2021.
The three-day event hosted by Ahmadu Bello University took place at the institution’s stadium in Samaru, Zaria.
Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Niger, Benin, and Liberia competed in the championships.
Nigeria clinched the first position having won 19 gold, 22 silver, and 14 bronze medals.
The second position went to Burkina Faso with 15 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze medals.
Senegal got 11 gold, 17 silver, and 12 bronze medals to clinch the third position.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barr. Solomon Selcap Dalung, Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabiru Bala, and President of the Confederation of African Athletics Region II, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, were among the dignitaries that presented the medals to various winners of the championships.
Engr. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, President of the Confederation of African Athletics Region II, congratulated all the winners and wished all participants a safe journey back to their countries.
Shehu-Gusau also expressed gratitude to all the participating countries for their support towards making the event a huge success.
He equally thanked the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Organising Committee, Prof Kabiru Bala, for his support, contributions, and personal involvement in the whole process from beginning to the point where the curtain was drawn on the championships.
The CAA Region II President further appreciated members of the various committees for their efforts, sacrifices, commitment, and hard work in achieving success.
Also congratulating the winners of the championships, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kabiru Bala, described the just-concluded event as a memorable occasion in the history and development of sports in Ahmadu Bello University.
While expressing the institution’s immense appreciation to the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Selcap Dalung and other dignitaries from within and outside for gracing the event, the Vice-Chancellor sincerely thanked the security personnel for their commitment and dedication in safeguarding the championship environment.
