NSSF, Stakeholders Hail MTN Champs As Game-Changer

The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) alongside key stakeholders has commended the organisers of MTN CHAMPS Season 4 following the successful conclusion of its second leg in Jos, Plateau State. According to Ireporter Online, the three-day event, held from March 26 to 28 at the New Jos Stadium, brought together over 1,300 athletes representing 148 secondary schools and teams, who competed across multiple track and field events.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NSSF Public Relations Officer, Sagiru Sani Dandango, and the Secretary of the Athletic Coaches Association of Nigeria, Osiebe Felix Onoriode, praised MTN Nigeria for its sustained commitment to discovering and developing young athletic talents, particularly those from underserved and remote communities. They also acknowledged the vital role played by teachers and Games Masters in nurturing the athletes.

Onoriode described the MTN CHAMPS initiative as a leading platform for athletics development in Nigeria and across Africa, noting that its scale and structure rival globally recognised school competitions. He added that the programme has become a reliable pathway for young athletes aiming for national and international exposure.

Also speaking, the Chief Customer Experience and Relations Officer of MTN Nigeria, Ngonwa Nwoye, lauded the event as a remarkable showcase of talent, resilience, and professionalism. She noted that despite challenging weather conditions, many participants recorded personal best performances, while officials, coaches, and government representatives ensured the smooth execution of the competition.

Nwoye expressed optimism ahead of the grand finale scheduled to take place in Ibadan, calling for increased participation from athletes nationwide. She reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment through sports development and highlighted the improved reward system introduced this year, with substantial cash prizes for both individual athletes and participating schools.

Among the standout moments of the competition were Miracle Ezechukwu’s victory in the junior 100 metres, which saw a new national U-20 record set, and Esther Okon’s impressive season-best time of 53.61 seconds in the women’s 400 metres. Team MTN athletes also delivered strong performances, with Ezekiel Asuquo and Chizoba Onyemauwa securing gold medals in the men’s and women’s 400 metres respectively.

The MTN CHAMPS initiative has continued to record significant milestones, with athletes discovered through the programme winning 14 medals across three international competitions and earning relay representation on the global stage. Following the conclusion of the Jos leg, the competition is set to move to Ibadan for its highly anticipated grand finale.