1st March, 2013
Following his impressive performances in all the races he registered for at the ongoing Premier Lotto Athletics Championship, which is taking place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Olowoporoku Lateef of Iwerekun Community Senior High School, Lakowe, Ibeju Lekki has set his target on winning, at least, a medal in all the three races.
Speaking with P.M.NEWS Sports at the venue of the inaugural athletics championship for Lagos State secondary schools sponsored by Premier Lotto, Olowoporoku, an SS2 student, said he is confident of making his school proud by winning medals in the 100m, 200m and the 800m races despite competing in his first championship.
“I am happy to have finished top in the heat today (Wednesday) and I hope to continue doing well in other races. Though this is my first competitive athletics championship apart from the inter-house sports in my school, I am confident I could win medals in the three races I entered for.
“Apart from the fact that I had been winning in 100m, 200m and 800m events in my school, since this tourney began, I have seen other athletes and I don’t think they can match my speed on the track. Though most of them look bigger and more matured, my coach always tells me that running is not about stature but the speed in our legs,” he said.
Olowoporoku, who also likes playing football, said that he doesn’t usually go for training exercise to improve his speed, but “running is a God given talent to me.”
He explained further that what motivated him to combine sports with education was his brother, Ibrahim Olowoporoku who plays basketball at the Lagos State Polytechnic.
—Bamidele Olowosagba