Emergence of MTN School Athletics thrills AFN

MTN

• Event to hold in Benin, Uyo, Ibadan, Abuja

To discover future generation of Olympics athletes for Nigeria at the grassroots level, telecommunications giant, MTN, in partnership with Making of Champions (MoC), yesterday, unveiled the MTN Schools’ Athletics Championships in Lagos.

Tagged MTN CHAMPS, the competition, according to MoC, is aimed at transforming school sports with four centres hosting the first edition across the country.

The tournament, a brainchild of MoC in collaboration with the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), has been guaranteed technical support by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The first leg will be held in Benin City, Edo State capital from October 12 to 14, while Uyo, Akwa Ibom State will host the second leg between October 26 and 28. The championship will be held in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State from November 9 to 11, while the fourth leg/grand finale will be held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja between November 29 and December 2.

The Chairman of MoC, Engr. Olu Akani stated yesterday that over 7,000 athletes from 500 schools are expected to participate across the four events. According to him, the best athletes discovered from each zone will converge for the finale.

On his part, MoC Partnership Manager, Babatunde Koiki, stated that the ultimate goal of MTN CHAMPS is to re-ignite grassroots athletics talent search across Nigeria to discover and develop the athletes that will deliver global medals and become future sporting legends for the nation.

He revealed that the grand prize of season one will be full one-year sponsorships for 10 athletes discovered at MTN CHAMPS to join MoC Athletics Academy in Lagos, which MTN is supporting as Lead Sponsor in 2024, to enable