In a momentous occasion, the inaugural Schools’ Athletics Championships, now renamed MTN CHAMPS, has been unveiled with the promise of delivering a thrilling competition. Over 7,000 athletes representing 500 schools will compete for more than 1,000 medals and 32 school/team titles. This historic event will take place across four prominent cities in Nigeria: Benin, Uyo, Ibadan, and Abuja.
The championship’s grand launch occurred on October 4, 2023, at the Nordic Hotel in Lagos, marking a significant milestone. The telecommunications giant, MTN, has taken the role of title sponsor, and it has forged a partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF). Together with the organizers, Making of Champions (MoC), this collaboration aims to ensure a seamless and unforgettable competition.
The momentous event saw the attendance of prominent dignitaries, including MTN Acting GM, Consumer Marketing – Idowu Adesokan; Chief Corporate Services Officer – Tobechukwu Okigbo; Chief Marketing Officer – Adia Showo; Senior Manager, Brands, Sponsorship & Media – Friday Okuwe; and Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing – Debo Agu. Also present were AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa, AFN Technical Director Mr. Samuel Onikeku, MoC Chairman Engr. Olu Akani, NSSF Vice President Emmanuel Ebong, and other esteemed personalities.
In her address, Sowho, representing MTN, expressed the company’s pride in aligning with the vision of MTN CHAMPS, stating that it resonates with the brand’s commitment to Nigeria’s youth. She said, “MTN is committed to Nigeria’s young people, and what we’re trying to do is power the dreams of these young people and provide them with the platform and technology they need to take on the world.” Sowho also emphasized that MTN CHAMPS is part of MTN’s broader initiatives aimed at nurturing young athletes, contributing to their personal growth, and fostering success in life. Notably, the top ten athletes discovered through CHAMPS will have the opportunity to join the MoC Academy, benefitting from structured training schedules that teach valuable life skills, including discipline and time management.
AFN President Okowa underscored the critical role of nurturing a new generation of athletes capable of taking over from their predecessors. MTN CHAMPS aims to bridge the gap by providing opportunities for young athletes aged 15 to 20 to compete, fostering grassroots sports development. He expressed gratitude to MTN and MoC for their support, acknowledging that these competitions will keep young athletes engaged and motivated during this crucial age range.
Engr. Olu Akani, MoC Chairman, highlighted the immediate and long-term benefits of staging MTN CHAMPS and extended appreciation to all organizations supporting this initiative. He declared, “I am pleased that we now have MTN identifying with our efforts to take Track & Field to lofty heights in Nigeria.” Akani expressed his conviction that MTN CHAMPS would unearth and nurture athletic talent across Nigeria, ultimately becoming the primary platform for identifying and fostering athletes capable of representing Nigeria in international competitions.
Deji Ogeyingbo, MoC’s Country Manager, unveiled the format for MTN CHAMPS, revealing that the competition would be divided into three age brackets: the Cadets (U-14), Youth (U-17), and Juniors (U-20). The championship features a team-based competition format with 32 team titles up for grabs across the four locations. Eight team titles will be awarded in each age category, recognizing the best Boys’ & Girls’ Schools/Teams. To enhance the competition’s organization, MTN CHAMPS will introduce the Roster Athletics Competition Management App, making its debut in Nigeria. This innovative app will facilitate all aspects of the championships, from online registration to live result updates and team scoring.
MTN CHAMPS signifies a pivotal moment in Nigerian athletics, promising to foster young talent and potentially rekindling Nigeria’s presence on the global athletic stage. With MTN’s generous support and a comprehensive developmental approach, this championship holds the promise of a bright future for aspiring athletes in Nigeria.
