thepeople'lensmagazine

TACTICAL REASONS BEHIND SOUTH AFRICA’S CAMP SHIFT — TEAM LEADER MATANE DISPELS RUMOURS AS NSC EARNS PRAISE. Olusegun Famesa, olusegunfamesa@gmail.com  09067374648. Abeokuta,Ogun State July 19,2025. A brief cloud of speculation hovered over the ongoing 3rd Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18/U20 Championship in Abeokuta when Team South Africa made a surprising shift from their designated camp in Mowe to a hotel closer to the MKO Abiola International Stadium. The unexpected relocation sparked murmurs suggesting dissatisfaction or deeper issues. However, the air was swiftly cleared when South Africa’s Team Leader, Mr. John Mathane, addressed the press, firmly stating that the move was driven purely by tactical considerations and not by any shortcomings in the accommodation provided. “Our decision was strategic,” Matame explained. “We wanted to minimize travel time, conserve energy, and give our athletes the best chance to perform at their peak. It had ...

NIGERIA'S CHIOMA NWACHUKWU LIGHTS UP ABEOKUTA, WINS GOLD IN 400M U18 FINAL By Famesa Olusegun olusegunfamesa@gmail.com  09067374648. Abeokuta,Ogun State. Nigeria's rising sprint queen, Chioma Nwachukwu, delivered a moment of pure brilliance on Day 3 of the ongoing CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships, storming to victory in the 400m U18 women final with a dazzling time of 52.47 seconds. In front of a rapturous home crowd at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Nwachukwu ran with precision and poise, dominating the race from start to finish. Her performance not only earned her the gold medal but also ignited a fresh wave of excitement around Nigeria’s athletic future. "I zeroed my mind to get gold in this tournament," she said moments after her gold medal presentation. "In 2023, I won the trial but couldn’t participate because of my age. I’ve been waiting for this chance, and I gave it my all."she proudly submitted. Her story is one of pur...

PRESS STATEMENT TEAM NIGERIA DAZZLES IN AN ELECTRIFYING DAY 2 AT CAA U18/U20 ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP Under the watchful eyes of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Day 2 of the ongoing CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championship lit up with Nigerian brilliance on home soil at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. It was a clean sweep in the girls’ 100m U-18 final as Team Nigeria asserted its dominance sweeping all medals in the category. Miracle Ezechukwu blazed to gold in 11.88secs, as she was followed closely by Rosemary Nwankwo (11.96secs), captain of the Invited Junior Athletes at the 22nd National Sports Festival, while Miriam Jegede clinched bronze with 12.20secs, completing a historic podium takeover. The momentum carried into the U-20 girls’ 100m final, where Nigeria bagged gold and silver. Chioma Nweke stormed to first pla...

GOLDEN STRIDES: NASSIMA BELEKHDAR SOARS TO TRIPLE JUMP GLORY AT CAA U-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ABEOKUTA By Famesa Olusegun With a leap that seemed to defy gravity and summon the spirit of the Sahara winds, Nassima Belekhdar of Morocco etched her name into the golden pages of African athletics history, claiming the triple jump gold medal in the U-20 women’s category at the 3rd Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18/U-20 Championships. The MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, a cauldron of roaring crowds and fluttering national flags, bore witness to Belekhdar’s moment of magic—an elegant fusion of speed, strength, and spatial mastery. Her winning jump wasn’t just a physical act; it was a poetic flight that captured the imagination of the continent. The championships, which began on July 16 and continue through July 20, 2025, have drawn athletes from over 43 African nations, converging on Nigerian soil to chase dreams and carve legacies. Abeokuta pulsing with  ...