By Ernest Osogbue

The 4th edition of the CLIMM Southeast U-16 Track and Field Championship 2024 is set to begin. The organizers say everything humanly possible has been put in place to ensure a smooth and hitch-free championship. In this wise, accommodation, transportation, and feeding of athletes have been arranged, with the venue and hotels awaiting the arrival of the athletes and officials. 

The championship billed for the Umuahia Township Stadium Aba between the 24th-26th October 2024, will have athletes and officials from the five Southeast States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States in attendance, in what promises to be another three days of exciting sports fiesta. According to the organizers, this edition promises to be even more exciting, as sister states of the South-South geo-political zone have been invited to participate for the first time. 

As is usual, this edition promises to deliver not only medals and prize monies for the top three finishers in every event but will also include food hampers for the winning teams in the Secondary Schools Invitational Relays, which comprises male, female and mixed teams. The main events for the championship however are; 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. other events are long jump, high jump, and triple jump. 

CLIMM Foundation, a coalition of five retired athletes of Southeast extraction, say their ultimate target is to restore the love for athletics in the Southeast, following the dwindling athletics fortunes of the zone in recent years. In a statement, they thanked those who have continued to stand by them, including Prince Bertrand Ugwu of NEMEL Pharmaceuticals limited; Kemud International Limited; Chenotech Nigeria Limited; the Onwa of Isingwu, Chief Moritz Amanze Abazie; Eze Aro IX of Arochukwu Kingdom, HRM Engr. Eberechukwu Orji; Eze Igbere, HRH Engr. Ebiri Okoro; Engr. Simple Ohallem of NNPC; Emmanuel Finndoro Obasi, Director Africa House London Limited; Peter Egwudo of Columbus Ohio; Igbo bu Igbo Gloucestershire, UK; and RCCG Victory Center Swindon, UK. 

Exceptional athletes from the last three editions have been granted scholarships by the foundation, with one of them currently studying in the United States while pursuing her athletics career. Imo State is the current defending champion, having topped the medals table with seven gold, nine silver, and two bronze medals in the last edition.