The first leg of Season 3 of the MTN CHAMPS, held in Benin, showcased the dominance of three schools: Government Model, Delta Secondary School, and Vision High School. These institutions consistently topped the podium across various age categories and athletic disciplines, leaving a significant mark on the competition. Their success highlighted the effectiveness of their training programs and the exceptional talent within their ranks. The Benin leg served as a strong opening statement for these schools, setting the stage for a highly competitive season.
Delta Secondary School asserted its prowess in the Cadet (U-14) Girls’ division, securing a comfortable victory with 50 points. Ado Girls trailed in second place with 33 points, followed by SAM-KAY in third with 20 points. The dominance of Delta Secondary School in this category underscored their strength in the younger age groups and hinted at a promising future for their athletics program. Their comprehensive win established them as the team to beat in subsequent competitions.
Government Model Asaba showcased exceptional form in the Cadet (U-14) Boys’ division, achieving a resounding win with 86 points – double the score of second-placed Benin Technical (43 points). This dominant performance was largely driven by the outstanding individual efforts of David Ekunwe and Daniel Okwokwo, who secured gold and silver medals across the 200m, 400m, and Long Jump events. Their combined contribution solidified Government Model’s position at the top of the leaderboard, with Saint John the Apostle claiming third place with 34 points.
Vision High School emerged as the champions in the Youth (U-17) Girls’ division, amassing an impressive 102 points and significantly outperforming their competitors. Blessing Ezeh played a pivotal role in their success, contributing 20 points through her victories in the Shot Put and Discus Throw. The Lord’s Own Int’l School and Osadenis secured second and third place with 39 and 31 points respectively, highlighting the significant gap created by Vision High’s dominant performance.
Government Model Asaba continued their winning streak in the Youth (U-17) Boys’ category, securing first place with 58 points. Beje High School followed in second place with 35 points, while Vision High School added to their overall success with a third-place finish, scoring 28 points. Government Model’s consistent performance across age categories solidified their position as a leading contender in the MTN CHAMPS.
The Junior (U-20) division witnessed a commanding performance from Delta State, who accumulated a staggering 162 points to claim the team title. Their dominance was particularly evident in the throwing events, with Bosa David Kosisochukwu and Success Okeleke securing numerous medals. Kosisochukwu notably won gold in the Shot Put and Javelin, and bronze in the Discus Throw. Delta State finished far ahead of HIT (94 points) and Global Power (79 points), demonstrating their superior strength and depth in the Junior category. In the Senior category, a closely fought battle between Bayelsa and Edo saw Bayelsa emerge victorious with 114 points, compared to Edo’s 87 points. Team MTN secured third place with 48 points. The Benin leg concluded with anticipation building for the second leg in Lagos, scheduled for April 9th to 12th.
