Day 2 of the MTN Champs Uyo Grand Final at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium continued to deliver excitement, with young athletes setting personal records and dazzling spectators with standout performances in track and field events.
The championship, which brings together 2,187 competing athletes, will run until May 9.
One of the standout performances came from Chukwuma Faith of Osadenis Mixed Secondary School, Asaba (Delta State), who sprinted to a new Personal Best of 12.08 seconds in a women’s junior U20 100m heat. After crossing the finish line with a clear lead, Faith stared in amazement at the race clock, soaking in the moment, a new personal best.
She recalled that she had clocked a 26.49 PB at her first MTN Champs race, a 200m u17, at the season 2 Champs Calabar. “I had just started athletics at that time. It was a very poor time for me. I kept that determination and kept training until I ran this today. I’m very happy because this is a big PB for me. I want to run a new PB at the semi-final.”
In the senior men’s 100m preliminaries, Chidera Ezeakor, winner of the Champs Benin leg and runner-up to Favour Ashe in Lagos, sprinted to the fastest overall time of the day with a blistering 10.35s, a new PB. He was followed by Glory Olokpa (10.44s) and Lucky Daje (10.47s).
In the women’s race, Kate Odumoso shaved five-hundredths of a second off her previous best from MTN Champs Benin, qualifying fastest overall with 11.55s. Close behind was Cynthia Chioma, who lowered her PB from 11.65s to 11.56s, while Sophia Efetobore clocked 11.65s to round out the top three.
The junior men’s 100m qualification heats also saw impressive showings, led by Williams Stephen, who clocked a PB of 10.77s. Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama followed closely with a controlled 10.89s to win his heat, while Olerirume Righteous completed the top three.
It was a PB fest in the junior women’s 100m, where Team MVP’s Ejiro Peter, a returning athlete from Season 3’s Benin Athletics Classics, blazed to a new lifetime best of 11.89s, improving from her former mark of 12.17s. After the race, she shared: “I’m very excited to be here because being at MTN Champs is PB upon PB. I’m very excited about my performance. Being an MVP today is a great opportunity for me.”
Her teammate, Ufuoma Merit, wasn’t far behind, running a PB of 11.90s to win her heat. Perezide Sigah also impressed, clocking 11.94s, another PB.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Emmanuel Salubi claimed victory ahead of Nsikak Okon Francis and Moses Eze. In the junior category, Possible Daniel triumphed over Endurance Favour and Goodluck Kabowei.
With medals already being awarded and the competition heating up, all eyes are on Day 3, scheduled for Thursday, May 8. The championship will conclude with six team trophies awarded and the recruitment of top-performing athletes into the prestigious Moc academy, in what promises to be a thrilling grand final.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Governor has commended MTN for raising champions through its MTN CHAMPS. The governor was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who expressed delight and said the state is pleased to host the season 3 MTN Champs Grand finale with over 2,400 athletes from 418 schools.
Eno revealed that MTN is engaging the youths in the right way through the programme and revealed that in Akwa Ibom, sports occupy a prominent place in his Arise Agenda.
His words, “We are indeed very grateful for what MTN has done, through corporate citizens. We pray that others will emulate the MTN example, because the government cannot do it alone. We need sponsors and partners to develop our youth. That is why we’re here, quite pleased that we are hosts of the MTN Champs season 3. If we have our way, with due respect, we would have made an application for all the seasons to be held here, but we know that might not be possible because we still have to go round this country, a country that has.”
The grand finale marks the climax of a months-long nationwide search for raw athletic talent and the bringing together of some of the most promising young sprinters, jumpers, and throwers for a showdown that promises to be both fierce and inspiring.
Representing MTN Nigeria, Ibe Etea, General Manager, Internal Audit & Forensic Services, had expressed pride in the journey that has brought the competition to Uyo.
In his words, “We began this journey with a clear vision: to discover, develop, and celebrate the next generation of Nigerian athletic champions. And what an inspiring journey it has been—from Benin to Lagos, and now, the heartbeat of Akwa Ibom.”
He noted that Uyo, with its record-breaking turnout, reflects the growing momentum behind MTN Champs.
“With over 2,400 athletes and 418 schools, the stakes are higher, the lights are brighter, and the talent on display is nothing short of world-class. MTN Champs is more than a competition; it’s a movement. A pipeline. A promise.” He said
Also addressing the opening ceremony, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, applauded MTN for hosting the competition in the state and assured of the state’s commitment to youth and sports development.
“The governor has asked me to appreciate MTN for what they have done by raising champions. In Akwa Ibom, sports are a vital part of our Arise Agenda. We are mandated to go to the grassroots, and when we saw MTN’s objective aligns with ours, it was only right to support it,” he said
To the young athletes, the Governor said, “Compete clean. Let even the sky not be your limit. And while you are at it, enjoy the beautiful splendour of our state.”
Now in its third season, the MTN Champs series continues to provide a platform for young Nigerian athletes to compete, improve, and gain national exposure. As the competition progresses to the semi-final stage, expectations remain high for even more record-breaking performances.
