The 2024 MTN CHAMPS Grand Finals, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, witnessed a thrilling display of athletic prowess, culminating in Favour Ashe, a Paris 2024 semifinalist, securing his second consecutive MTN CHAMPS title in the Senior Men’s 100m. Ashe, representing Ministry of Communications (MoC), clocked an impressive season’s best of 10.20 seconds, leaving Augustine Ezuruike of Bayelsa and Amreremenore Edesiri of Global Track & Field to settle for second and third place with times of 10.48s (personal best) and 10.56s (personal best), respectively. This victory cemented Ashe’s position as a dominant force in Nigerian sprinting.
Team MVP emerged as a major force at the championships, showcasing their remarkable depth of talent by sweeping the podium in multiple events. Their athletes demonstrated a combination of speed, strategy, and teamwork, resulting in a commanding performance across various age categories. This dominance underscored the team’s commitment to developing young athletes and fostering a winning culture. The clean sweeps were a testament to the quality of their training programs and the dedication of both the athletes and coaching staff.
The Cadet Girls’ 100m saw a complete Team MVP takeover with Ebimoboere Christopher leading the charge, setting a new personal best of 12.61s. Her teammates, Ella Udumubrai and Jolaade Adesanya, secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively, showcasing the team’s depth in this category. Similarly, in the Youth Girls’ 100m, Bernice Onoriode, Goodnews Saturday, and Rebecca Enilolobo continued the Team MVP dominance with a 1-2-3 finish. This consistent performance across age groups highlights the team’s comprehensive approach to athlete development.
The Youth Boys’ 100m saw Muhammed Jimoh claim gold for Team MVP with a time of 11.09s, closely followed by teammate Destiny Reuben. This one-two finish further solidified Team MVP’s position as a powerhouse at the championships. In the Junior Women’s 100m, Ejiro Peter and Tejiri Ugoh continued the Team MVP’s winning streak, securing gold and silver, respectively. Peter’s impressive personal best of 11.81s demonstrated her continued progress and potential.
Team MVP’s success wasn’t limited to the sprints. Victory Aganya captured gold in the Girls’ 400m with a new personal best, while the Youth Boys’ 400m saw another Team MVP sweep, further demonstrating their versatility and strength across different events. The team’s consistent performance throughout the competition highlighted their comprehensive training programs and the dedication of their athletes. This success in both sprint and middle-distance events showcased the breadth of talent within the team.
Beyond Team MVP’s impressive showing, other athletes also made their mark. In the Senior Women’s 100m, Kate Odumoso delivered a commanding performance, setting a new personal best of 11.36s to clinch gold. The 400m events also witnessed some impressive runs, with Victor Sampson winning the Senior Men’s race and Rhoda Adisa showcasing tactical brilliance to win the Senior Women’s race with a new personal best. The competition showcased the bright future of Nigerian athletics, with both established names and emerging talents delivering noteworthy performances. The final day promised further excitement and the culmination of four days of intense competition with the presentation of the team trophies.
