Sports
300 Register For 3rd MoC Grand Prix
With less than five weeks to the third “Making of Champions (MoCs) Grand Prix”, over 300 Athletes from across Nigeria and West Africa have registered for the 2 and 3 April event.
The Founder and CEO of MoCs, Bambo Akani, disclosed the figure on their media platform, monitored by Tidesport.
Akani said that the event has fast become the largest annual Athletics Competition in Nigeria aside from the National Trials.
He expressed joy over the number of entries received so far, saying “We’re excited about the response from Athletes nationwide and abroad for this event.
“The first edition in 2018 had 400 Athletes and the second in 2019 had 500 Athletes. With three weeks of registration still left, we’re well on track to exceed those numbers, but these are different times due to the pandemic.
“So we will be publishing a final list of entries to ensure we can strictly adhere to coronavirus safety protocol. The list will feature athletes vying to qualify for the Olympics, World U20 and African Championships.”
Akani said the initial registration deadline of Friday, March 5, has been extended to Friday, March 19, stressing that no further entries will be entertained after the final deadline.
“Several National Team Athletes for Nigeria have already signalled their intention to participate, with qualification for the Tokyo Olympics up for grabs.
“These include Commonwealth Games Medallist and multiple African and National Champion, Patience Okon-George, African Games Medallists, Kemi Francis and Emmanuel Arowolo, and African Championships Medallist Samuel Kure.
“Other top Team Nigeria Athletes at the event are Commonwealth Games Medallist and National 100m Champion, Joy Udo-Gabriel, African Games Medallist and National 400m Champion, Emmanuel Ojeli, National 200m Silver Medallist, Jerry Jakpa, and National 100m Silver Medallist, Grace Nwokocha.
“Indeed, National Team Athletes of other countries such as Sierra Leone and Togo have already registered their interest to participate in the Olympic-qualifying Event,” Akani said.
He explained that top Athletics Clubs in Lagos dominated the list of entries, stressing that the hosts, MoC Track Club, will have 25 Athletes, Eaglesight (20), Olapade Athletics Club (16) and Arena (14).
He Further noted entries from D’Victors (11) and Christy Athletics Club (8) in Ogun State, Federal University of Technology Akure (10) in Ondo, God’s Speed Athletics Club (7) in Oyo, Favoured Stars (5) in Delta and Coach Felix Academic and Sports Foundation (5) in Kaduna.
The founder said other established Athletics Teams making a return to the MoC Grand Prix include Team Police (10), Civil Defence (8) and the African Athletics Development Centre (AADC) in Port-Harcourt (3).
Akani said some State athletes will be using the Grand Prix to keep sharp and prepared for the National Sports Festival, rescheduled for April, including Edo (15), Delta (7), Anambra (5), Akwa Ibom (3) and Cross River (3).
He said, however, that the event would be by invitation only and the final list of invited athletes will be published a week before the event (by Friday 26th March).
“All athletes registering from outside Nigeria, however, will be contacted for further information immediately MoC receives their registration for the event,” he said.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.