The Maltina School Games train landed in Akwa Ibom this weekend and it gave us every reason to be excited! The energetic athletes definitely gave each other a run for their money at the Godwin Akpabio International Stadium from the 9th till the 11th of March 2022.
With over 300 schools in attendance and 60 athletes battling for coveted spots at the national finals, the tension was high, the competition keen, and the excitement was through the roof!
It wasn’t just the usual energy and passion that usually accompany inter-house sports. You could tell this came with greater intensity because the stakes were definitely higher. This time, the kids knew they had more to gain than bragging rights for a whole year.
Students from all over the state went neck to neck on the track in four Categories; Junior and Senior Girls and Junior and Senior Boys. There were so many new outstanding talents that quickly became crowd favorites, Daniel Emmanuel Umanah was a shining star as he clinched the gold and silver medals in the junior boys category of the 200m and 400m races respectively. The Senior Boys were dominated by Etimbuk Kenneth Luke who was a double gold medalist in the 100m and 200m races.
Precious Emmanuel Awak was a senior girl to watch as she received the silver and gold medals in the 200m and 400m races respectively. Blessing Udeme Harry also went home with the coveted 100m gold medal in the Junior girls category.
Cheering crowds and vigorous coaches pushed the student-athletes to the max at every sports event. Maltina's goal of building sportsmanship was well and truly realized.
The event was made even more colorful by the presence of many dignitaries including Mr Chukwuemeka Anikwu, Corporate Affairs Manager, South, Nigerian Breweries Plc, SSA on Sports to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Elder Paul Bassey and Commissioner for Education, Akwa Ibom, Dr Etiabiet Idongesit who was represented by Lady Rose Bassey, PS, Ministry of Education, Akwa Ibom State. Mr Patrick Ashiedu, the Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Dr Ekaete Ebong, Chairman, State Sec Education Board, Akwa Ibom, and Mr Charles Nwachukwu, Trade Marketing Manager, Nigeria Breweries Plc were also present to lend morale and support to the participants.
What’s better than the thrill of winning? The prizes you get to go home with! The Akwa-ibom state finals handed out a slew of prizes - one for each and every competitor! From medals to sportswear, sports equipment, and fantastic branded merch, the proud winners in each sports event and category had bright, excited smiles as they went home. Interestingly, the champions in the broad categories walked away with a staggering cash award of N500,000 and educational tablets.
The next time these amazing winners meet, it’ll be at the National Finals later in the year. They will go head to head against school teams from the four other state finals held in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Lagos, and Abuja. The glamorous clash of titans for the Maltina School Games 2022 is slated to be held at the FCT Mini Stadium, Abuja on the 29th to 31st March, 2022.
The National Finals will bring the best of the best and we’re holding our breaths from the excitement. Who knows? We just might meet a future Olympics gold medalist.
Great. This is lovely
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