The 4th edition of the CLIMM U-16 Athletics Championship concluded on a high note for Team Anambra, securing their dominance at the two-day event held from October 25th to 26th.
Angel Network News (ANN) gathered that with remarkable performances across various events, Team Anambra topped the medal standings, earning a total of 19 medals: 7 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze.
Chioma Edeh of Vision High School, Nnewi, emerged as the competition’s Most Valuable Athlete (MVA), impressively clinching three gold medals in the 800m, 1500m, and 4x400m relay events. Edeh’s performance underscored her potential as a rising star in Nigerian athletics.
Several other athletes contributed to Anambra’s success. Ifechukwu Nwankwo took gold in the 400m and added a silver in the 200m, while Kenechukwu Nwabueze secured a gold in the boys’ 1500m and a silver in the 800m. Obiefuna Favour also showcased her talent by winning the long jump in the girls’ category.
The Anambra relay teams delivered stellar performances, with the girls’ quartet of Ifechukwu Nwankwo, Metu Chidinma, Chioma Edeh, and Favour Obiefuna winning gold in the 4x400m relay, while the boys’ team—Kenechukwu, Victor, Obinna, and Chibuike—secured another gold in the 4x400m boys’ relay.
Additional silver medalists included Favour Ekejiuba in the girls’ long jump and Obinna Onyeka, who won two silvers in the boys’ long jump and shot put events, plus a bronze in the discus throw. The team of David Miracle, Ifechukwu Nwankwo, Favour Obiefuna, and Favour Ekejiuba also earned silver in the 4x100m relay race.
Bronze medals were awarded to Okenwa Victor in shot put, Ezeh Blessing in the girls’ discus, John Faith in the girls’ 1500m, Chibuike Mojekwu in the boys’ 400m, and the boys’ quartet of Chibuike, Victor, Obinna, and Kenechukwu in the 4x100m relay.
ANN reports that Team Anambra claimed the overall best team title, with Abia State finishing in second place and defending champions Imo State taking third. Anambra’s impressive showing reflects the positive impact of recent sports initiatives in the state.
Technical Consultant to the Anambra State Sports Commission, Mr. Oluyomi Sule, praised the athletes’ performance, attributing their success to the Sports Solution Initiative (ANSSI) introduced by Governor Charles Soludo.
“The seeds planted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo through the reintroduction of school sports are yielding multiple results. In a few years, Anambra will produce athletes who dominate Nigerian sports,” said Sule, urging other states to adopt similar initiatives to boost sports development in the southeast.
Anambra State’s Director of Sports, Mr. Emeka Super, commended the CLIMM organizers—Clement Chukwu, Lee Okoroafor, Innocent Iheme, and Michael Ukaha—for their commitment to community development. He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for uncovering and nurturing young talent, ultimately enhancing the quality of athletics in the region.
With a strong showing at the CLIMM U-16 Athletics Championship, Team Anambra has cemented its position as a force to be reckoned with, showcasing the state’s growing prominence in Nigerian sports.
