By our reporter 10.11.2026
All roads lead to the Ughelli, Delta State where the 8th edition of the Government College Ughelli Relays comes alive Saturday November 14.
GCU Relays organised by the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association was established to bring back the intense inter-school rivalries that once fuelled secondary school athletics in Nigeria.
The GCU Relays continues to combine competition, talent discovery and recognition in its effort to strengthen the foundation of the sport.
Since its introduction, the GCU Relays has attracted several schools that have gone on to claim the overall honours, including Government College Ughelli, Hussey College Warri, Urhobo College Effurun, Afiesere Secondary School and Federal Government College Warri.
The competition’s reach has also extended beyond Delta State. Igbobi College, Lagos, participated in the maiden edition, setting an early precedent for the inclusion of schools from other parts of the country.
Meanwhile the 2026 edition will have added rewards for the young athletes as organisers have introduced customised gifts for medal-winning athletes.
The latest initiative will see every gold, silver and bronze medalist receive a specially branded beverage cup, marking the first time the organisers are extending this recognition to all podium finishers. The gesture comes on top of the souvenir packages traditionally distributed to participating athletes.
The expanded reward scheme adds to the incentives that have made the GCU Relays attractive to secondary schools. Outstanding performers in the boys’ and girls’ categories will receive additional prizes, while the school adjudged best in the march-past display will also be rewarded.
The organisers have equally retained the competition’s all-expenses-paid arrangement for invited schools, ensuring that participating institutions do not have to bear the cost of transportation, accommodation and feeding during their visit to Ughelli.