By Ayomide Otitoju
The much-anticipated grand finale of MTN Champs Season 3 officially commenced on Tuesday with a vibrant opening ceremony at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. The four-day event has drawn 2,187 athletes from over 5,800 event entries, showcasing the best of Nigeria’s grassroots athletic talent.
The ceremony was attended by top government officials, including Akwa Ibom’s Commissioners for Sports and Education, alongside representatives from the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Making of Champions (MoC), and MTN Nigeria.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ibe Etea, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager, Internal Audit & Forensic Services, reflected on the journey so far:
“We began this journey to discover and celebrate the next generation of Nigerian athletic champions. From record-breaking performances in Lagos to inspiring showings in Benin, we’ve seen extraordinary passion and potential. Here in Uyo, with over 2,400 registered athletes from 418 schools, we are set to witness greatness.”
Etea emphasized MTN’s dedication to youth development:
“MTN Champs is not just a competition—it’s a movement, a promise, and a pipeline to global excellence. Every athlete here is already a champion.”
In a symbolic gesture, Elder Paul Bassey and Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, Commissioners for Sports and Education respectively, performed the ribbon-cutting on behalf of the Executive Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. Bassey conveyed the governor’s message of pride in hosting the event:
“The governor appreciates MTN for raising champions. In Akwa Ibom, sports are central to our development agenda. This competition aligns with our grassroots vision. We hope that someday, we can trace national champions back to this event in Uyo.”
The ceremony featured performances by the Nigerian Police Band, a traditional dance troupe, and a colourful parade led by Team MVP, joined by participating schools and Team MTN—an elite squad of athletes from past seasons now enrolled in the MoC Academy. Team MTN recently won the Junior Team trophy at the Lagos Continental Relays.
As the competition unfolds, 10 new athletes will be inducted into the MoC Academy, furthering MTN Champs’ legacy of unearthing and nurturing Nigeria’s brightest prospects in athletics.
