Over 1,300 Athletes to Compete in MTN CHAMPS Season 4 in Jos

Jos, the capital of Plateau State, is set to host over 1,300 young athletes from various parts of Nigeria as the second leg of MTN CHAMPS Season 4 is slated to occur from March 26 to 28 at the New Jos Stadium.

In total, 1,301 athletes representing 148 secondary schools and teams will compete, marking a return of the event to the city for the second time in two years. This ongoing initiative underscores the increasing importance of grassroots sports development within the nation.

The event was officially announced during a press conference in Jos that included government officials, sports administrators, and prominent corporate representatives.

Musa Ashoms, representing the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, expressed the timeliness of the initiative through Permanent Secretary Kenneth Buenyen. He stated, “MTN CHAMPS is a welcome concept. There is no better time to inspire youth and that time is now. We are grateful to MTN for being an exceptional partner for Plateau State. We appreciate the contributions and, in true Oliver Twist fashion, we will always seek more.”

Sebastian John, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Kachollom Gang, reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting the competition.

“Plateau State is firmly behind this initiative. The Honourable Commissioner expresses gratitude for selecting Plateau as the venue for this event and assures that the state will utilize this opportunity fully, reminding everyone that Plateau is the home of peace and tourism,” he added.

Ezra Gunen, Director of Sports at the Plateau State Sports Council, emphasized the importance of balancing education with sports. He said, “We appreciate MTN's return to Jos after such a successful event previously. Sports are fleeting; education remains paramount. We intend to nurture athletes who will not only excel in sports but also emerge as scholars. Furthermore, we appeal for assistance in developing long-distance runners, who show great potential to compete on an international level with athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya.”

Ugonwa Nwoye, a representative of the organizers, inspired the athletes to maintain focus and discipline. “What you are doing today makes Nigeria proud and further inspires future generations. Your discipline and talent motivate us all. You are already on stages that many can only dream of participating in, and we thank you for being part of MTN CHAMPS Season 4,” she remarked.

Highlighting the growth of this initiative, Ibe Etea indicated that athletes discovered through this platform are making strides on international stages. “This marks the fourth edition of MTN CHAMPS, and it has been a remarkable journey from Calabar to Jos. Currently, we have 30 Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) training at the MoC Athletics Academy in Lagos. Athletes identified through this event have collectively won 14 medals in three international competitions and have secured relay spots on the global scene,” he reported.

He further mentioned that monetary awards would be given to the top-performing teams, with the winning team set to receive ₦2 million, while participating schools with high engagement will also be financially recognized.

In summary, Yemi Galadima, representing MoC founder Bambo Akani, reflected on MTN CHAMPS’ growth as a vital fixture in Nigeria's athletics calendar since its inception in 2023. “We appreciate the continued support from the Plateau State Government. Following its launch in 2023, MTN CHAMPS has become an essential event for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, providing athletes the chance to compete in four age categories. Remarkably, Nigeria's Mixed 4x100m and Women's 4x400m teams qualified for the World Relays through this platform. None of this would have been achievable without MTN's vision and commitment.”

Sagiru Sani Dandango, Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria School Sports Federation, praised the initiative’s grassroots impact, acknowledging that many emerging talents come from remote areas and expressed appreciation for MTN's early identification and nurturing of these athletes, alongside the invaluable contributions of teachers and Games Masters.