10 MTN Champs Athletes Participate In National Sports Festival
Ten outstanding athletes from the MTN CHAMPS athletics competition are participating in the National Sports Festival, taking place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30.
This occasion follows the success of the MTN Champs Season 3 competitions which took place in Benin (Athletics Classics, March 13 to 15), Lagos (Continental Relays, April 9 to 12) and Uyo (Grand Final, May 6 to 9).
The National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sport event, brings together athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It serves as the country’s primary platform for athletes to compete at a national level across a wide range of sports events. Fostering unity and sportsmanship among the diverse participants, this festival provides opportunities for talent identification for international competitions. More than just a sporting event, it also celebrates Nigeria’s rich athletic potential and encourages investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development.
On the other hand, MTN CHAMPS is Nigeria’s premier grassroots athletics competition designed to identify and nurture young talent across Nigeria. It serves as a platform where promising athletes from different states compete at various regional meets, preparing them for global competitions. The initiative focuses not only on competition but also on mentoring and developing athletes holistically, ensuring they have access to the resources and support needed to reach their potential. Since its inception in 2023, it has unearthed some of Nigeria’s most promising track and field stars, drawing over 21,500 athletes from 1,318 schools nationwide.
Among the MTN CHAMPS athletes headed to the festival is Azeezat Muhammed-Raji, who won silver in the 200m in Ibadan during Season 1 and a bronze in the 100m in Lagos in Season 3. Lucy Nwankwo, one of the most decorated athletes across three seasons, brings experience and versatility, having clinched multiple medals including gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m at the Lagos meet. She has also earned podium finishes in long jump and sprints across Calabar and Asaba.
Jane Onyeneho has shown consistency since Season 1, earning medals in both the 100m and 200m across Benin and Uyo events. Miracle Donald, a specialist in the 400m, delivered a series of strong performances, including gold in Benin and silver medals in Abuja, Lagos, and Uyo.
Middle-distance runner, Patience Joseph earned gold medals in the 800m and bronze in the 400m from Uyo and Abuja during Season 1. She continued her form with podium finishes in later seasons. Benjamin Magaji has dominated the 400m across Jos, Calabar, and Benin, claiming multiple golds and silvers, while Stephen Adejumo stood out for his back-to-back golds in the 400m in Ibadan during Seasons 1 and 2, and a silver in Uyo in Season 3.
Sprinter Alvin Onyeama, known for his explosive speed, was a double gold medalist in the 100m and 200m in Uyo during Season 1, and returned in Season 3 to grab silver in the 100m. Ezekiel Asuquo, a standout in both the 200m and 400m, amassed multiple gold medals across Lagos and Uyo in Season 3. Lastly, Toheebat Jimoh showed range by winning gold in the 100m in Ibadan during Season 2 and following up with gold and silver medals in the 400m in Lagos and Uyo.
The 10 best performing athletes from each CHAMPS season are usually inducted into the prestigious Athletics academy. At the recently concluded season 3 Uyo Grand Final, MTN Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadiiri commended the athletes, confident in their future successes. “From Benin, Lagos, and right here in Uyo, we have seen personal bests shattered and the emergence of champions who will undoubtedly leave their mark on the national and international stage. We anticipate that the 10 exceptional MVPs emerging from this season will join the current roster of 20 MVPs in their continued pursuit of excellence.”
These athletes, products of MTN CHAMPS’ rigorous grassroots competition, are a clear testament to the initiative’s success in discovering and nurturing track and field talent across Nigeria. Their upcoming participation in the National Sports Festival is not only a reward for their consistent performances but also a sign that the future of Nigerian athletics is being shaped by programs focused on opportunity and development at the grassroots level.
