IT was perhaps the largest crowd ever at the sports complex of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) when athletes from different parts of the country stormed the venue over the weekend for the third leg of the AFN/NDDC Golden League jackpot.Despite the afternoon rain, which nearly marred the day for the organisers, the athletes gave their best to gift the spectators, who included students and lecturers, something to cheer. In the 100 metres race, Police athlete, Ademola Akomolafe, came top to make it almost impossible for any of the sprinters to lay claim to the jackpot prize.However, before Akomolafe posted his 10.62 against a head wind, the 100 metres final was not without its usual drama. Abia State's sprinter Jonathan Mmaju, who placed second in the Port Harcourt leg with 10.38, behind Bamidele Taiwo, beat the gun and was disqualified.Just like Usain Bolt at the last World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Mmaju lost the chance of picking the N30,000 at stake and the chance to also push for a share of the jackpot at the final. Another police athlete, Tamuno Briggs (10.65) picked the silver while Chukwuma Onyeakwu of Customs (10.69) settled for bronze.But Taiwo, who won the event in Port Harcourt, skipped the Akure leg while race favourite, Elvis Ukale of Delta State, was clearly off form and failed to pick a slot in the final.Akomolafe said: 'I am glad that I have proved here that I merited my invitation to the second phase of the national camp in Port Harcourt. This is my state and I know this track because I train here,' though he admitted missing the inspirational support of the late Technical Director of the AFN, Sunday Bada.In the women's version, Margaret Benson of Otefe Polytechnic, Delta State, easily won in 11.71 while Peace Uko of Ondo (11.75) and Susan Obehi Akene of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) (11.77) placed second and third respectively.Benson, who won the 100, 200 and the 4x100 metres events gold at this year's Nigeria Polytechnics Games at the Federal Poly, Ede, swept past all, including Josephine Omaka, who many had hoped would challenge her for the top prize.'I almost lost the race because I slept on the blocks,' Benson said. 'The 11.71 I ran in this final is not as good as my PB of 11.58 in the heat.'The fourth leg of the Golden League will hold in Warri on May 19.
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