NewsSport

Williams, Solomon win Jos Cross Country titles

Plateau state runners, Kefas Williams and Blessing Shambor Solomon, have emerged the winners of the first ever Cross Country competition in Nigeria, the Jos Cross Country, sponsored by Nilayo Sports Management Limited.

Kefas, won the men’s race at 31minutes 38:38seconds, smiling home with a cash prize of N300,000.

In second place was Stephen Joshua, who crossed the line at 31minutes 28: 30 seconds and received N200,000 for his efforts.

Blessing Shambor and Kefas Williams

Emmanuel Gyang finished third at 32minutes 01:27seconds with N100,000 prize money accompanying it.

The men’s race was so competitive such that the finishers from first to sixth positions were all Nigerian elite athletes.

The likes of pre-event favourites; Paul James Pam (32:39:08), Solomon Nyango (33:19:69), James Gyang Gwon ( 33:25:93), Simon Markus (33:26:10), Nyango Gyang (33:31:49) and Iliya Pam 33:39:69 all ran 33 minutes.

Iliya, earlier rated to win the championship, said he was hindered by an injury sustained at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

In the women’s category, a shocking result was recorded as highly rated Debora Pam, was beaten to second place by Blessing Shambor Solomon.

Pam, led the field for four lapses out of five, only to be overtaken by Solomon in the fifth lap.

The Plateau state athlete didn’t look back to cross the finish line at 38minutes 36:12 seconds while pocketing N300,000.

Pam, who received N200,000 for finishing 2nd at 38minutes 47:37 seconds blamed fatigue from road travel from Lagos.

In third place was Grace Dalum, who finished at 39minutes 10:91 seconds and got a cash prize of N100,000.

Winners from 4th place to 10th positions all got cash prizes from the sponsors, Nilayo Sports Management Limited.

A total N2million cash prizes was shared among the winners.

The Zonal Coordinator, North Central in the Sports Ministry, Mrs. Deborah Pitman represented the Honourable Minister of Sports at the event.

All the Elite runners that participated in the Jos Cross Country Championship together with the event’s Coordinator, Chief Tony Osheku, commended the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Chief Bukola Olopade, for organising the competition, which has opened the eyes of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, and indeed the Sports Ministry to host a championship that would benefit the fortunes of Nigeria long distance performances in international races.

.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button