By; Sunny Canto
Amazingly, the second day of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics tournament in Calabar, brought so much fun and fierce competitiveness in different events in all the categories.
However, the venue at U.J. Esuene Stadium is witnessing massive turnout of spectators daily. Despite the huge support from the fans and cheering Nigeria athletes; exceptional display came from Ethiopia's Merdekios Wolde Wachiso in the Senior Men's 400m race, setting a new personal best of 46.64s to claim victory.
Speaking to Journalists (NSSF vice-President) Pastor Emmanuel Ebong said, "It's a fantastic idea as MTN decided to hunt for talents and skillful athletes in Calabar; and there's so much improvement because the young ones are discovered daily" Adding, "National School Sports Federation is collaborating efforts with all sport stakeholders in bringing them to global stage" he affirms.
Mr. Cyril Okoye (Beacon Power Services Senior Manager) while addressing Press men, "We're part of the sponsor's here, also its part of our social responsibilities in promoting Sports in Nigeria" he told.
Okoye continued, "Definitely, we are raising more future Champions that will make our Nation proud someday" he added.
While Nigeria prodigy Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN secured second place with a season's best of 47.02s as Wisdom Alexander finished third place with a time of 47.37s. In the Senior Women's 400m, Toheebat Jimoh of Team MTN won with a season's best of 54.73s, followed closely by her teammate Miracle Uwem Donald with a time of 54.78s, and Comfort James took third in 55.94s.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Men's 400m event, Team MTN dominated with a 1-2 finish, as Michael Aniche won with a new personal best of 49.03s, ahead of teammate Prosper Ushie with a time of 49.37s. Faithwin Essien secured third place in 49.65s. Blessing Sekibo excelled in the Junior Women's 400m, recording a personal best of 55.23s to win the title.
In the Youth Boys' 400m, Eze Chukwuma Onyema of Oboro Secondary School took the top spot with a time of 52.50s as Success Onu of Emotan College won the Youth Girls' 400m in 56.05s. Miracle Ezechukwu of N-Youth delivered impressive performances, winning the Junior Girls' 100m title and securing qualification for the World U-20 Championships.
Liberty Okon stunned Team MTN's Alvin Onyeama to a victory of 10.85s to 10.86s during the Junior Boys' 100m, Precious Okeoghene claimed the Senior Women's 100m title in 12.11s, while Matthias Iwara dominated the Senior Men's 100m with a personal best of 10.57s.
Day two continued with Miracle Festus Okon of Eagle International winning the Youth Girls' 100m title in 12.10s and Team MTN's Emmanuel Akolo claiming victory in the Youth Boys' 100m in 11.14s.
The Cadet Girls' 100m went in favor of Faanss' Emmanuella Eteng with a personal best of 14.38s as Auntie Margaret Memorial's Asieta Otu emerged champion in the Cadet Boys' 100m via photo finish.
Fascinating performance from Iwara Mathias in the Senior Men’s 100m thereby emerging champion. Also, the 2025 NUGA Games triple champion thrilled the Calabar crowd, sprinting to a personal best of 10.57s for the win as Nkereuwem Ibok followed with 10.82s, while Nwachukwu Prince Onyedikachi completed the podium in 11.01s.
Noticeably, Nigeria's sprinting pipeline is quite long, of course there's so much talent in this country and we have to harness them for global recognition.
Just three years ago in Asaba, the quartet of: Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu, Lucy Chiamaka Nwankwo & Adaeze Precious Ezeh and Chigozie dominated the National Youth Games and cleared the female sprinting medals for Anambra state. They are with different teams now and excelling at the Junior category.
Ezechukwu won the Junior women's 100m title in Calabar, winning with a time of 11.63s; her second fastest time in history. Her teammate, Chigozie Nwankwo finished 2nd in 11.70s, with Lucy Nwankwo finishing 3rd in 11.98s.
These are the future of Nigerian women's sprint events!
Conclusively, the Tech giant Mrs. Oyinye Ikenna-Emeka (MTN Chief Marketing Officer in Nigeria); Mrs. Emamoke Ogoro, Pastor Emmanuel Obong (NSSF Vice-President); Cyril Okoye (Senior Manager at Beacon Power Services); Cross River State Sport Chairman among others was present on Day Two colorful event.
