MTN Champs Season 4 athletics championship has officially begun in Calabar, Cross River State, with young athletes from across Nigeria competing for glory in one of the country’s largest grassroots track and field competitions.
The championship was formally declared open by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, who welcomed participants, coaches, and officials to the state capital. Odey praised the organisers for creating a platform that allows emerging athletes to showcase their talent and compete at a national level.
The competition opened under bright weather conditions as athletes stepped onto the track with hopes of reaching the podium and securing future opportunities in athletics. With the championship now underway, attention has turned to the upcoming events where Team Nigeria athletes are expected to battle for qualification places, particularly in the 4×400 metres relay categories.
Among the rising talents attracting attention at the event is secondary school athlete Emmanuel Akolo, who has set ambitious goals for himself in the sprint events. The SS2 student has boldly inscribed his targets on his running spikes, aiming to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 metres and run below 20 seconds in the 200 metres. His personal targets of 9.93 seconds in the 100m and 19.95 seconds in the 200m reflect his determination to compete at elite level in the future.
Akolo’s confidence has made him one of the athletes to watch in the boys’ 100m and 200m finals at the ongoing championship.
In the Junior Girls’ 100 metres heats, teenage sprinter Miracle Ezechukwu delivered an impressive performance, posting the fastest overall time of 11.67 seconds despite running into a -1.3m/s headwind. Her teammate Rosemary Chigozie followed closely with a time of 11.89 seconds, while Team MTN athlete Lucy Nwankwo finished third overall with 12.22 seconds.
Ezechukwu’s performance also secured her qualification for the upcoming World U20 Championships scheduled to take place in the United States in August 2026.
In the Junior Boys’ 100 metres heats, Godwin Oghenerunor led the field with a time of 10.75 seconds, ahead of Liberty Okon who recorded 10.97 seconds, while Team MTN sprinter Alvin Onyeama followed in third position.
The Youth Girls’ category also produced strong performances, with Miracle Festus Okon topping the qualifiers with a time of 12.26 seconds. She finished ahead of Glory Bassey who ran 12.41 seconds and Team MTN’s Rebecca Enilolobo who posted 12.55 seconds.
On the boys’ side, Emmanuel Akolo dominated his heat with a time of 11.50 seconds, followed by Otobong Patrick who ran 11.52 seconds and Nwabueze Kenechukwu with 11.99 seconds.
In the men’s 100 metres heats, Wisdom Alexander set the pace with a time of 10.71 seconds. Team MTN’s Showers Ushie clocked 10.83 seconds, while Nkereuwem Ibok ran 10.85 seconds. Both Iwara Mathias and Emmanuel Ojeli also secured heat victories with identical times of 10.87 seconds.
The men’s 400 metres heats featured international participation, with Ethiopian athlete Merdekiyos Wolde Wachiso recording the fastest time of 47.20 seconds. Ethiopia arrived at the championship with a 10-member delegation comprising eight athletes and two officials, and the team is expected to compete in the men’s, women’s, and mixed 4×400 metres relay events.
Team MTN athlete Ezekiel Asuquo finished second overall in the 400m heats with 47.59 seconds, while Obashola Olaoluwa placed third with a time of 48.01 seconds.
In the Junior Boys’ 400 metres event, Team MTN’s Michael Aniche delivered a standout performance, setting a personal best of 49.15 seconds. He finished ahead of Mfoniso Bassey who recorded 49.36 seconds, while Prosper Ushie won his heat in 49.68 seconds.
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The championship continues with several key finals, including the highly anticipated 100 metres and 400 metres races, as athletes battle for medals and national recognition.
The opening ceremony drew several dignitaries from government and sports administration. Among those present were Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development Agnes Atsu, MTN Chief Marketing Officer Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Vice President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation Emmanuel Ebong, and Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Gabriel Okon.
The MTN Champs series continues to serve as a major platform for identifying and developing future Olympic talents in Nigeria, bringing together young athletes from schools and clubs across the country to compete at a national stage.
