By Daniel Akinola

More than 2,500 athletes from 155 secondary schools and 158 other teams (clubs, states, universities) will begin their quest for glory at the MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays, which holds in Lagos from today to Saturday. The competition will unfold simultaneously across two venues, the YABATECH Sports Complex and the UNILAG Sports Complex.

The programme for the Lagos leg of the MTN Champs was unveiled yesterday at MTN’s headquarters with several dignitaries, including MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka; Chief Finance Officer, Modupe Kadri; Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Obiageli Ugboma; Chief Information Officer, Shoyinka Shodunke; Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, and General Manager, Brand and Communication, Emamoke Ogoro, in attendance.

Others were Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu; Board Member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Dr. Solomon Alao; two-time Olympics medallist, Mary Onyali, Vice President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Emmanuel Ebong; Athletics Committee Secretary of the NSSF, Segun Omodunni, MoC Country Manager, Deji Ogeyingbo, MoC Athletics Academy Head Coach, Deji Aliu, and many others.

Speaking at the event, Ikenna reiterated MTN’s commitment to nation building, saying, “MTN CHAMPS is a platform that continues to grow, inspire, and transform the future of Athletics in Nigeria. At MTN, we’ve been committed to supporting the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians, not only through innovative solutions, but also through active involvement in socially impactful initiatives and programmes.

This is why we are actively involved in sports, especially in football and athletics. In 2023, we launched the MTN CHAMPS with a clear vision to discover and nurture young Athletic talents with the goal of building future Olympians for Nigeria.

“We have remained committed to our vision and the journey thus far has been exceptionally remarkable. We have witnessed young and raw athletic talents from across the country push themselves to the limits, defy all odds, and inspire us with their talents as they compete in the Track and in the Field events. We have also discovered and selected 20 exceptional talents from different parts of Nigeria and they are here today where they are receiving coaching and training to represent Nigeria in future championships, “

Representing MoC Founder/CEO Bambo Akani at the event, Ogeyingbo said: “At Making of Champions, we’ve made it a mandate to revive Track and Field in Nigeria. It’s our biggest sport judging by the medals we’ve won at the Olympics. Out of the 27 medals won in total, 14 are from Athletics alone. We have the talent. How can we transition this talent to ensure that we win medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championships? We all love the fact that Tobi Amusan did something great about three years ago at the World Championships where she broke the World Record, and we need to be able to consistently replicate that.”

The LSCC DG affirmed Lagos State’s support for sports development. He said: “I’m delighted to be here today. We have been listening to the testimonies of change, of transformation, of inspiration, of future that is assured, and I want to say a big thank you to MTN. There’s no better way to describe this event than saying that it is exceptional. It is an inspiration even to us as a government. Mr. Governor is actually very deliberate in ensuring that there is total transformation, not just in Athletics, but all sports.”

Alao, who represented the AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, at the event said: “Having MoC in partnership with MTN, I dare say that the sky is the limit. We are most appreciative of the work done so far. This is the third edition and every year it keeps improving. The AFN is not only proud of this partnership; it is something that we make noise about. If we have more corporate bodies get up and support sports in general, then our society will be better for it. We are looking forward to seeing all these future champions not only make gains on the track, but also in life through their academics or one vocation on the other.”

According to the prgramme, athletes in the Cadet (U-14) and Youth (U-17) categories will compete at the UNILAG Sports Complex from days one to three before relocating to the Yabatech Sports Complex on day four.

Athletes in the Junior (U-20) and Senior (no age limit) categories will compete at the Yabatech Sports Complex throughout the four days of the competition.

It added: “Youth (U-17) and Cadet (U-17) athletes from schools who are unavailable from days one to three due to examination commitments will have the opportunity to compete on day four at the Unilag Sports Complex.