BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, will take centre stage as it hosts the 3rd edition of the African U18/U20 Athletics Championship from July 16 to 20, 2025.

The event, scheduled to take place at the iconic MKO Abiola International Stadium, promises five thrilling days of world-class youth athletics action.

Organized by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) in partnership with the National Sports Commission, Ogun State Government, and corporate sponsors such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO Limited, the championship will bring together some of the continent’s most promising young talents.

A Packed Athletics Schedule

The competition opens on Wednesday, July 16, with an afternoon session featuring U18 athletes.

 Fans will be treated to a variety of events, including the 100m heats, 1500m final, high jump final, triple jump final, and distance races such as the 3,000m and 10,000m across categories.

Day 2 (Thursday, July 17) will deliver a full slate of competition with 110m hurdles heats, long jump qualifications, and the highly anticipated 400m finals for both U18 and U20 categories.

The day will also feature the 100m semi-finals and finals for all age groups, along with the U20 1500m finals and women’s discus final.

Friday’s (Day 3) action starts with the 400m finals for U18 boys and girls, while the field events will include pole vault and hammer throw contests.

 The afternoon session heats up with the U18 100m hurdles final, U20 men’s 400m final, high jump, javelin throw, and 4x100m relay heats for the U20 men.

Saturday (Day 4) opens with 200m and 800m heats across both age categories. The afternoon brings the 200m semi-finals, the 5,000m final, and the finals of the 4x100m relays — often one of the most anticipated events of any championship.

The curtain will fall on Sunday, July 20, with a grand finale that includes field events like discus, javelin, and long jump.

The spotlight will then shift to the final sprints and relays — 200m finals for men and women, 800m finals, the U20 men’s long jump final, and the 4x400m relays. The championship will close with a medal ceremony and official closing rites.

Showcasing Africa’s Future Stars

This championship not only provides a competitive platform for Africa’s rising track and field stars but also serves as a vital talent pipeline for future continental and global athletics stages.

 With hundreds of athletes from across Africa expected to participate, Abeokuta will become a vibrant hub of youthful athletic excellence and continental camaraderie.

As the spotlight turns to Ogun State, all eyes will be on the MKO Abiola Stadium, where the future of African athletics will be on full display.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Team Nigeria has officially announced its full squad list for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship, set to hold from July 16 to 20 at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

 A total of 96 athletes will represent the host nation in what is expected to be a thrilling showcase of young African talent.

The team comprises a blend of promising male and female athletes across both age categories.

The U20 men’s team leads in number with 30 athletes, followed by the U18 boys with 24 athletes. On the women’s side, 18 athletes will compete in the U18 category, while 24 athletes will represent Nigeria in the U20 women’s division.

Strong Support Team Backing the Athletes

The athletes will be supported by a robust technical and backroom staff that includes 22 coaches, 8 medical personnel, and 8 additional team members, among them a psychologist, physiotherapists, logistics coordinators, a team secretary, and media personnel — all dedicated to ensuring optimal performance and team management.

Final Preparations Underway

In preparation for the continental meet, Nigeria’s sprint relay quartet — Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, Anita Itohan, and Chika Bakwunye — participated in the recent AFN/Dynamic Athletics Meet, fine-tuning their baton exchanges and synchronization ahead of the championship.

Officials from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) revealed that all selected athletes have undergone intensive training camps, fitness assessments, and performance trials aimed at ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant force in African athletics.

A Nation Poised for Glory

As Nigeria gears up to host athletes from over 40 African nations, expectations are high that the home team will deliver a strong performance and capitalize on home advantage.

The Abeokuta championship marks a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics, both as host and as a contender for top honours.

With a deep pool of young talent and strong institutional backing, Team Nigeria is poised to not only compete but also inspire a new generation of stars and uphold the country’s legacy in track and field.

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Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon on Saturday in 1 hour 04.39; on his heels was another Kenyan, Adam Sulaiman Muhamad, who was second in 1.05.27, and a Nigerian Francis James Musa came third in 1.05.51.

If Kenyans dominated the men’s race, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians. Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 1 hour 15.3, Aberash Minsewo, another Ethiopian, was second in 1.17.14, and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian Patience Dalyop was third in 1.21.15.

Nigerian runners dominated the 5 km race, they also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.

Each one for his reason, thousands of runners pounded the streets of Abuja on Saturday as the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon flags off at the ECOWAS Commission Yakubu Gowon Way, a little after 8.00 am, while the 5 km race started shortly after.

For the elite runners that participated in the 21-kilometer race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $ 10,000 prize money for the top finisher.

Ditto for the top runners in the 5km race whose sights were also fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers.

For former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore, a constant face in marathons and road races in Nigeria, America and other parts of the world, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon was another medium to carry his message of justice for humanity to every part of the world.

Sowore did not run alone; he ran with the #Run with Sowore Group and other members of his Lazy Man Athletics Club.

However, the majority of runners like Blessing Mozie participated because running has become a way of life.

A staff member of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, she ran on Saturday because running has become a part and parcel of Lagos-born Mozie’s life.

Before moving to Abuja, Mozie participated in several editions of the Lagos City Marathon, running the full marathon, but she ran the 5 km on Saturday because she is not used to the Abuja roads.

”I was born in Lagos, I grew up there, so I am familiar with the route, but I am not too familiar with the Abuja routes. Maybe in future, I will run the half marathon and the full marathon in Abuja.

“I think running is something everybody should do because of its immense health benefits.

“For me, running is not a fashion statement but a way of life because it is good for the body generally, and I am encouraging everybody to embrace the culture of running; the benefits are immeasurable.

An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for $71,000 prize money on Saturday.

 The men’s and women’s winners of the 21 km half-marathon race won $10,000. 

Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line received bronze medals to show they had participated.

The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani noted that the event was part of activities to commemorate ECOWAS at 50.

Njoaguani stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.

He noted that the future goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.

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