MONROVIA — The University of Liberia (UL) has been crowned champion of the maiden edition of the National University Athletics Championship, held over the weekend at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex.
Five universities competed in various track and field events, but UL dominated the competition, securing gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters races in both male and female categories.
In the women’s 100 and 200 meters, UL’s Hajar Kelleh sprinted to two gold medals, clocking 13.02 seconds in the 100 meters and 28.00 seconds in the 200 meters. Smythe University’s Janies Dunbar took silver in both events with times of 14.10 seconds and 30.24 seconds, respectively.
Stella Maris Polytechnic’s Riseann Beadeh claimed the bronze in the 100 meters with a time of 14.20 seconds, while UL’s Angela Cooper secured the bronze in the 200 meters, finishing in 33.07 seconds.
The men’s 100 and 200 meters races were highly competitive, but UL continued its winning streak. Charles Weah claimed gold in both races, clocking 11.25 seconds and 22.62 seconds.
Stella Maris Polytechnic’s Michael Teekay earned silver in the 100 meters at 11.42 seconds, while AME Zion University’s Jimmy U-Sayee claimed bronze at 11.57 seconds. U-Sayee also won silver in the 200 meters with a time of 23.75 seconds. Stella Maris Polytechnic’s Adam Lincoln took bronze in that race, clocking 24.02 seconds.
In the men’s 400 and 800 meters, UL’s Toney Roberts and Marcox Sackie won gold with times of 52.11 seconds and 2:11.68, respectively.
In the women’s 400 meters, Stella Maris Polytechnic’s Roseann Beadeh captured gold with a time of 1:12.88. UL’s Donna Boyou won the 800 meters, clocking 3:01.29.
Athletes also competed in six field and relay events, including the long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, 4×100-meter relay, 4×400-meter relay, 4×400-meter mixed relay, and medley relays.
In the overall medal tally, UL finished first with 139 medals across gold, silver, and bronze categories. Stella Maris Polytechnic placed second with 38 medals. Smythe University and BlueCrest University College followed with 14 and 13 medals, respectively.
Liberia Athletics Federation President Mulbah Zaza, speaking to The Liberian Investigator at the close of the tournament, expressed delight over the event’s success and announced plans to host the championship annually.
Zaza also disclosed that some standout athletes were scouted by the LAF technical team and will be integrated into Liberia’s youth national teams.
“We will work with these universities through their sports departments to organize this championship yearly,” Zaza said. “I was impressed by what I saw today. We saw athletes we didn’t know existed. Some of them have already been recruited for upcoming international athletic events.”
He thanked the participating institutions and encouraged the athletes to stay committed, noting that “there are several opportunities to pursue.”
Discussion about this post