With entries received from 80 Schools/Teams across the Cadet (U-14), Youth (U-17) and Junior (U-20) age categories for the first leg of MTN CHAMPS which was staged in Benin, four teams were awarded trophies for their spectacular performances in the course of the three-day competition, based on the point systems introduced for the secondary schools.
All the finalists in each event win points for their schools, ranging from 10 points for 1st place, down to 1 point for 8th place.
At the end of the day, Vision High from Anambra State dominated the Girls’ Cadet category. Adaeze Ezeh was the standout performer for Vision High after amassing GOLD medals in the Girls’ U-14 100m, 200m, Long Jump and 4x100m. She also inspired her teammate Favour Ekejiuba to Silver in the 100m and 400m respectively, while another teammate, Favour Obiefuna struck GOLD in the High Jump.
In the Cadet Boys’ category, Baptist Vocational’s team who came all the way from Rivers State, finished tops. Michael Aniche dominated the 400m and Long Jump, with his teammate Wisdom Lucky taking the Bronze in the 400m and GOLD in the Triple Jump. Benjamin Progress also scored points for Baptist Vocational with his High Jump GOLD and Triple Jump Bronze as 10-year-old Moses Ogidi settled for Bronze in the High Jump.
Respite came for the Benin-based teams in the Youth category as Idia College won the Girls’ Youth team trophy. Korie Ngozi took Discus GOLD and also made the final in the 200m and 400m, while the team also made it a 2-3 in the Long Jump, with Amarachi Ibemkalu and Gift Oghogho Eguae taking Silver and Bronze respectively. Success Zuru and Gift Ikechukwu contributed their own quota by winning Bronze in the Shot put and 800m respectively.
Benin Technical emerged the best Boys’ team in the Youth category courtesy of Austine Osayomwanbo’s Silver medal in the Discus throw and a 4th place finish in the Javelin throw, while Aisosa Ehidiamen settled for Bronze in the 100m.
Ezeh emerged the MVP for the Girls’ U-14 category while Aniche who also won GOLD in the mixed 4x400m, was named MVP for the Cadet Boys’ class.
The MVPs for the Youth (U-17) Boys’ and Girls’ categories respectively were Anthony Lucky of Exclusive Secondary School who won Long Jump GOLD and Triple Jump Silver, and Success Oyibo who claimed the 100m/200m titles for Redeemer Academy.
In the Junior (U-20) Boys’ category, Isaac Chukwuwike of Global Power Track Club was named MVP, having secured victories in the 400m and 800m, while Victoria Olaniyi took the Girls’ category with her triumphs in the 100m and 200m.
All six MVPs were rewarded with tabs and other branded items by the sponsors of the competition, and are among the 10 selected athletes to the Grand Final in Abuja.
They will be joined by the four Golden Performers comprising Showers Ushie and Isaac Egberebo who won GOLD and Silver respectively in the Junior Boys’ 100m, Faith Osamuyi who won GOLD in the 100m Hurdles and Silver in the 100m, and Jane Chioma Onyeneho who finished Top 3 in both the 100m and 200m in the Junior Girls’ category.
