STAKEHOLDERS HAIL MTN CHAMPS SEASON 4 AS PLATFORM FOR GRASSROOTS TALENT DISCOVERY

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) and other key stakeholders have commended the organisers of MTN CHAMPS Season 4 following the successful conclusion of the competition in Jos.

The three-day event, held from March 26 to 28 at the New Jos Stadium, featured over 1,300 athletes drawn from 148 secondary schools and teams competing in various track and field events.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the NSSF Public Relations Officer, Sagiru Sani Dandango, alongside the Secretary of the Athletic Coaches Association of Nigeria, Osiebe Felix Onoriode, praised the initiative for its impact in discovering and nurturing young talents, especially from underserved communities.

Onoriode described the competition as unparalleled across the continent, stating that MTN CHAMPS has become the most reliable pathway for young athletes to access national and international opportunities. He likened it to Jamaica’s renowned school athletics system, noting its growing scale and influence.

Also speaking, Ngonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Experience and Relations Officer at MTN Nigeria, described the event as a remarkable showcase of talent, resilience, and professionalism. She highlighted the athletes’ determination to achieve personal bests despite challenging weather conditions, while commending officials, coaches, and government representatives for ensuring seamless organisation.

Nwoye expressed optimism ahead of the grand finale scheduled to take place in Ibadan, calling for broader participation from athletes nationwide and reaffirming MTN’s long-term commitment to youth development.

She further revealed enhanced prize rewards for this year’s edition, with individual winners earning up to ₦2 million for first place, while schools received prizes ranging from ₦5 million for first position to ₦500,000 for those placed between sixth and tenth.

Among standout performances, Miracle Ezechukwu set a new national U-20 record in the junior 100m, while Esther Okon recorded a season-best time of 53.61 seconds in the women’s 400m. Team MTN athletes also excelled, with Ezekiel Asuquo and Chizoba Onyemauwa clinching gold medals in the men’s and women’s 400m events respectively.

The MTN CHAMPS initiative has continued to make significant strides, with athletes discovered through the programme winning 14 medals at three international competitions and earning relay representation on the global stage.

With the Jos leg concluded, attention now shifts to the Ibadan finale, where more emerging talents are expected to take centre stage.