The grand final of the 2025 MTN CHAMPS commenced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, amidst a colorful ambience and beautiful displays from various teams.
The event featured a range of competitions across different categories, including the Senior and Junior 400m races, and the Youth 100m races, among others.
Reigning Niger Delta Sports Festival Champion Victor Sampson emerged as the fastest overall qualifier in the men’s 400m, clocking a time of 46.55s, followed by Johnson Nnamani (47.00s) and Micheal Ighogboja (47.54s). In the women’s 400m, Odot Udo dominated with a Personal Best (PB) time of 53.85s, ahead of Rhoda Adisa (54.01s) and Rita Munachiso (54.69s).
Fresh from his gold-medal feat at MTN CHAMPS, Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo breezed through his race, posting a time of 48.00s to win his heat in the Junior men’s 400m, followed by Chidiebere Obed (49.33s) and Stephen Adejumo (49.57s).
In the women’s race, Miracle Sonny ran a time of 54.75s in Heat 1 to become the quickest across all heats, with Elizabeth Olumide (54.85s) and Team MTN’s Toheebat Jimoh (55.83s) finishing next.
Onyemech Peter Onoriode narrowly missed the Youth Boys’ 100m Championships Record (CR) of 11.09s set by Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama in Season 1, crossing the line in 11.10s to boast the fastest time among qualifiers.
Team MVP’s Tunmise Ebimetan (11.34s) and Akolo Emmanuel (11.36s) followed closely. For the Youth Girls’ 100m, Team MVP led with the three fastest times: Enilolobo Rebecca (12.64s), Bernice Onoriode (12.69s), and Promise Egbebe (12.71s).
At the end of Day 1, Delta Secondary School led the Youth women’s category with 10 points, followed by Charity School (8 points), Ikot Ibiok Girls (6 points), and West Itam (5 points). In the Junior Mixed category, Akwa Ibom topped the standings with 20 points, ahead of Ikot Ibiok Girls (8 points), St Brains Model College (8 points), and Ikot Okubo Community (6 points).
Cross River led the Senior Mixed category with 21 points, followed by Chosen International (10 points), Charity Of The Most Precious Blood (6 points), and Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School (4 points).
A total of 2,187 athletes representing 136 secondary schools and 93 junior and senior teams are competing for honors at the MTN CHAMPS Grand Final, held from May 6 to 9.