By Akanimo Kufre
Esther Okon secured the women’s 400m title with a season’s best time of 53.61 seconds, followed closely by Toheebat Jimoh with 53.88 seconds and Miracle Uwem Donald with 54.27 seconds.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel Asuquo topped the men’s 400m heats with a time of 47.43 seconds. Other notable performances include Faustina Obi’s personal best of 55.73 seconds in the Youth Girls 400m and Michael Aniche’s lead in the men’s Junior heats with 49.22 seconds.
Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo set a marginal wind-assisted personal best of 11.46 seconds in the women’s Junior 100m, while Emmanuel Akolo led the men’s 100m with 10.89 seconds. Okechukwu Ezeh clocked a personal best of 10.56 seconds in the senior men’s 100m heats.
Fervent Edet posted a personal best of 11.13 seconds in the Youth Boys 100m heats, and Attach Boyi recorded the quickest time in the Cadet Boys with 13.34 seconds. Nantap Zachariah topped the Cadet Girls with a personal best of 14.36 seconds..
More action is expected from New Jos Stadium, Plateau State on Friday 27 March 2026 and Saturday where 1,301 athletes from 148 schools via for medals in MTN CHAMPS track and field events.
The MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays in Jos was officially heralded at a press conference held in the Plateau State capital, attended by key stakeholders from government, corporate leadership, and sports administration.
Representing the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Musa Ashoms, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Kenneth T. Buenyen, described MTN CHAMPS as a timely and impactful initiative.
“MTN CHAMPS is a welcome idea. There’s no better time to catch them young, and that time is now. We want to thank MTN for being a great partner to Plateau State. We appreciate all you’ve given us, and just like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more,” he said.
