MTN Champs season 3 kicks off in A’Ibom

Etim Ekpimah

The Grand Finale of MTN Champs Season 3 commenced in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, with young athletes across the country participating to show their talents.

The competition at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will see athletes in track and field events.

Speaking on Tuesday, Emmamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communications, MTN Nigeria, said that MTN Champs season 3 is expected to produce talents that will represent Nigeria in future Olympics.

Ogoro said the MTN Champs, which began in 2023, had over 15,000 athletes across 900 schools participating in the event over time.

The general manager added that the focus of the MTN Champs is to produce young talents that will represent the country in world competitions.

“The dream of having Nigeria on the world stage is a strong vision that we hold to accomplish.

“Two seasons ago, previously in 2023, the MTN Champs dream was born, and over time, we’ve had over 15,000 athletes across 900 schools participating in this event.

“We stand for progress for Nigerians, and looking into grassroots development is at the forefront of supporting all our youngsters to pursue their dreams.

“It gladdens my heart that at these events, we’re beginning to see people breaking their records and having records of about 10 seconds.

“When you start having 10 in athletics, it means you are already on the world stage,” Ogoro said.

She called on Akwa Ibom residents to come out en masse to support the young athletes and cheer them to victory.

She said, “The goal is that in the next year, they should start attending international competitions. And from there, in preparation for the Olympics, we should see Nigeria in the USA or Mexico, representing Nigeria fully.”

Callimo Inino, Regional General Manager, Operations, East, MTN Nigeria, said that MTN Champs season three has promised to be the most exciting.

According to him, the event started in Benin City with over 2,000 athletes, Lagos with over 6,000 entries from over 2,505 athletes representing 155 secondary schools, the highest number of schools ever registered in MTN Champs.

“At MTN, we take pride in creating opportunities, supporting young talent, empowering Nigerian children, and building a future where dreams are not only imagined, but also realised and actualised.”

“Every champion has a story, and every story must be nurtured. And that is what we are doing here. Beyond connectivity, we nurture lives and aspirations.

“MTN Champs was built with a clear vision to discover and nurture young athletes, with a goal of building future Olympians for Nigeria.

“There is nothing as comforting as seeing the names of Nigerians on the Olympic stand,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that the symbolic flag run relay was declared open by Paul Bassey, Commissioner for Sports in Akwa Ibom.

Featuring athletes from the Government House roundabout to major roads like Wellington Bassey, Ring Road, Oron Road, the Uyo Plaza, and finally the Godswill Akapbio International Stadium, where the flag was received by MTN executives,” Inino said.