The Kaduna State finals of Nigeria’s biggest Secondary School Sports festival, the Maltina School Games, was successfully held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium from 16th to 19th March, 2022.
70 schools participated at the finals with over 200 students representing them. The teams battled it out in the state finals for a coveted slot at the National Finals.
The athletes participated in a variety of track and field events as well as board game contests including; 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, and 800m races, long jump, high jump, and Javelin, Chess, and Scrabble Competitions.
Makkah Academy Zaria dominated the track as they walked away with all qualifying medals in the Senior Boys’ 100m events and a gold medal in 400m. Faith Academy was also one school to watch at this year’s Kaduna State Finals as they clinched the gold medals in all but one of the High Jump categories, another gold in 4x100m relay race and Senior Girls’ Long Jump Category; silver in Long Jump Senior and Junior Boys’ categories and bronze in Junior Girls’ Long Jump Category.
The Foundation Science School, Samaru, also went home with their athletes well-decorated in gold, silver and bronze medals across a broad range of categories.
Speaking at the event, Kabir Kassim, Maltina Corporate affairs Manager, North, Nigerian Breweries said “Maltina believes strongly in contributing to nationwide child development through sporting activities. We’re delighted that we get to impact so many young people here again this year. We will continue to make global stars out of young, promising, grassroot sport talents here in Kaduna State and indeed around the country.”
The young Athletes from the participating schools received fantastic prizes comprising medals, a whooping cash prize of half a million naira plus other freebies like laptops and educational tablets as well as branded merchandise. The winners go on to the National finals and the overall winners from the National finals will go on to represent Nigeria at the World School Games.
Many distinguished guests attended the event including the Commissioner for Sports, Kaduna State, Mr Idris Ismaila as well as Nigerian Breweries Representatives including Mr John Danladi, Corporate Affairs Advisor for the North; Channel Manager Strategic Program, Charles Nwachukwu; The Manager Brewing, Mr. Osasu Oviawe; and Regional Trade and Marketing Manager, Mr. Richard.
Participation in this year’s edition of the Maltina School Games took place in several states in the federation as State Finals were held not only in Kaduna but also in major sport centers in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Jos and Kano. Qualifying athletes are set to compete at the National Finals in Abuja and winners will represent the nation at the World School Games holding in China this year.
About the Maltina School Games
The Maltina School Games, now in its third year, is an annual national sports competition for secondary school students across Nigeria sponsored by Nigeria’s number one malt brand, Maltina. The 2022 edition of the Maltina School Games, themed ‘Building Champions, Sharing Happiness’ is designed to identify and nurture local sport talents to represent Nigeria on the world stage.
