Sports

Five Nigerian Starlets to Watch at African Junior Athletics Championships

Published

3 months ago

June 27, 2025

Joel Ajayi

With just 20 days remain before Africa’s next generation of track and field stars converge for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, from July 16-20 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

For Team Nigeria, it’s more than a championship — it’s a launchpad.

A golden opportunity for rising stars to announce themselves on the continental stage and ignite careers that could shape the future of Nigerian athletics.

Among the contingent gearing up to wear the green-white-green with pride, a standout group of talents is already turning heads both locally and internationally. Meet the names to watch as they prepare to dazzle in Abeokuta:

Chioma Nwachukwu: Events: 400m, 4x400m Relay, PBs: 400m – 51.26s | Indoor – 52.07s | 4x400m Relay – 3:26.90, College: University of Iowa.

A gold medalist at the 2022 National Sports Festival and a champion at the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), Chioma has shattered school records at the University of Iowa in both the indoor and outdoor 4x400m relays.

Okon Israel: Events: 60m, 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay, PBs: 100m – 9.91s | 60m – 6.51s | 200m – 20.80s, College: Auburn University.

Okon is rewriting history. His blistering 6.51s in the 60m tied the school record at Auburn, placing him alongside legends like Davidson Ezinwa and Favour Ashe on Nigeria’s all-time list.

A silver medalist at the SEC Indoor Championships and bronze medalist at the NCAA Indoors, he also led Nigeria to gold in the 4x100m at the 2023 African Games.

Favour Onyah: Events: 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, PBs: 400m – 51.93s | 200m – 24.35s | 4x400m Relay – 3:40.46, College: Southeastern Louisiana University

Named the 2024 Southland Conference Women’s Track & Field Freshman of the Year, Favour is fast becoming a dominant force in the quarter-mile.
Gafari Badmus: Events: 400m, 200m, 800m, 4x400m Relay: PBs: 400m – 45.62s | 200m – 21.64s | 800m – 1:56.48 | Mixed Relay – 3:25.59, College: Not currently enrolled.

Gafari is one of the brightest prospects in Nigeria’s youth athletics system. Already a gold medalist in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2024 National Sports Festival, he has medaled across multiple distances and showcased versatility with a promising 800m personal best.

John Caleb: Events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay, PBs: 100m – 10.39s | 200m – 21.19s | 4x100m – 40.28s, College: Not currently enrolled.

A two-time champion at MTN CHAMPS Benin and Lagos, John Caleb is the definition of consistency. He impressed at the U18 Athletics

Trials and has proven to be one of the country’s fastest teenagers.

Share on Facebook

Sports

NVBF President, Engr Nimrod Urges Families to Embrace Healthy Living at HOBA Novelty Sports

Published

34 mins ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has called on Nigerian families to adopt healthy living habits through regular participation in sporting and fitness activities.

Nimrod made the call on Sunday during the third edition of the Hoba Development Association, Abuja Chapter, novelty sports event held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He noted that physical activities such as sports are vital to fostering family bonds, community interaction, and overall well-being.

“The rate of health-related incidents such as slumping is increasing, but regular exercise helps improve the health of both parents and children,” he said. “Events like this bring families together, allowing parents and children to interact and know each other better.”

Also speaking, the stand-in Chairman of the Hoba Community, Barrister Nathan Naandeti, highlighted the significance of the annual novelty games, describing them as a unifying platform for members of the community.

“It’s something we do every year to promote unity, togetherness, and fitness among our people. Sports is part of who we are,” he stated.

Men, women, and children from the Hoba community participated in various sporting activities, including volleyball, badminton, football, and aerobics—all aimed at encouraging relaxation, fitness, and bonding among families.

Share on Facebook