By Ayomide Otitoju
Ten standout athletes from the MTN CHAMPS grassroots athletics initiative are representing their states at the 2024 National Sports Festival, currently taking place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30. Their participation follows the successful conclusion of MTN CHAMPS Season 3, which featured regional meets in Benin (March 13–15), Lagos (April 9–12), and Uyo (May 6–9).
The National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sport event, remains Nigeria’s largest platform for national athletic competition, drawing participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It promotes national unity and talent discovery while encouraging investment in sports development.
MTN CHAMPS, launched in 2023, is Nigeria’s premier grassroots athletics competition, aimed at identifying and nurturing young athletes from secondary schools and communities across the country. Since inception, the initiative has drawn over 21,500 athletes from 1,318 schools, serving as a springboard for future stars in track and field.
Among the MTN CHAMPS alumni competing at the Festival is Azeezat Muhammed-Raji, a silver medalist in the 200m in Ibadan (Season 1) and bronze medalist in the 100m in Lagos (Season 3). Lucy Nwankwo, one of the most decorated CHAMPS athletes, boasts gold and silver medals in sprints across Lagos, Calabar, and Asaba.
Other notable participants include:
Jane Onyeneho, a consistent medalist in the 100m and 200m from Benin to Uyo
Miracle Donald, a 400m specialist with medals across Benin, Abuja, Lagos, and Uyo
Patience Joseph, dominant in middle-distance events, with gold in the 800m and multiple podium finishes
Benjamin Magaji, a top 400m performer across Jos, Calabar, and Benin
Stephen Adejumo, who clinched back-to-back golds in Ibadan and silver in Uyo
Alvin Onyeama, double gold medalist in Uyo and silver medalist in Lagos
Ezekiel Asuquo, a 200m and 400m standout with multiple golds in Lagos and Uyo
Toheebat Jimoh, a sprinter with golds in Ibadan and Lagos, and silver in Uyo
These ten athletes were selected as the top performers of Season 3, earning spots in the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Academy, which now comprises 30 elite athletes.
Speaking at the Grand Final in Uyo, MTN Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadiri, praised the athletes for their exceptional performances and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to youth development through sports.
“Across Benin, Lagos, and Uyo, we’ve witnessed the rise of champions,” Kadiri said. “We are confident these athletes will make a significant impact at the national and international levels. Their inclusion in the Sports Festival is a testament to the power of grassroots investment in athletics.”
As they compete alongside the nation’s best, the MTN CHAMPS athletes not only showcase the results of rigorous development but also represent the future of Nigerian athletics—one rooted in talent discovery, mentorship, and opportunity.
