The emergence of MTN School Athletics brings excitement to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)
• Event scheduled for Benin, Uyo, Ibadan, Abuja
In a bid to unearth the next generation of Nigerian Olympic athletes from the grassroots, MTN, the telecommunications giant, joined forces with Making of Champions (MoC) to introduce the MTN Schools’ Athletics Championships, which was officially launched in Lagos yesterday.
Dubbed MTN CHAMPS, this competition, as outlined by MoC, is geared towards revolutionizing school sports by featuring four centers in the inaugural edition across the nation.
The tournament, conceived by MoC in partnership with the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), has garnered technical support from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The initial phase will take place in Benin City, Edo State's capital, from October 12 to 14. The second leg will be hosted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from October 26 to 28. The championship will unfold in the historic city of Ibadan, Oyo State, from November 9 to 11. Finally, the fourth leg and grand finale will be held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, from November 29 to December 2.
MoC's Chairman, Engr. Olu Akani, disclosed that over 7,000 athletes from 500 schools are expected to participate in the four events. He added that the top athletes identified from each zone will converge for the ultimate showdown.
Babatunde Koiki, MoC's Partnership Manager, outlined MTN CHAMPS' ultimate objective as reigniting grassroots athletics talent scouting throughout Nigeria to identify and nurture athletes who will achieve global recognition and become future sporting legends for the nation.
He also revealed that the grand prize for season one will involve full one-year sponsorships for 10 athletes discovered at MTN CHAMPS to join MoC Athletics Academy in Lagos, which MTN is supporting as the Lead Sponsor in 2024. This initiative will enable the best talents to earn college or high school scholarships in the United States or Jamaica, as well as receive training opportunities to represent Nigeria in future global competitions.
MTN's Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Adia Sowho, highlighted the company's decision to partner with MoC, expressing confidence that MTN CHAMPS will produce athletes who will make Nigerians proud in the near future.
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, welcomed MTN CHAMPS as a significant development for Nigerian athletics. He emphasized the importance of grassroots sports in sports development and expressed the AFN's support for the initiative.
Seven U.S.-based Nigerian athletes have been appointed as ambassadors for MTN CHAMPS: Usheoritse Itsekiri, Miracle Thompson, Ashe Favour, Udodi Onwuzurike, Emmanuel Ojele, Nse-Uko Imabong, and Enoch Adegoke.
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