MTN CHAMPS Grand Final to feature record 3,200 athletes in Ibadan
The MTN CHAMPS Season 4 Grand Final will feature over 3,200 athletes from 375 schools and teams when it holds in Ibadan, Oyo State — the largest turnout in the
The MTN CHAMPS Season 4 Grand Final will feature over 3,200 athletes from 375 schools and teams when it holds in Ibadan, Oyo State — the largest turnout in the competition's four-season history.
The milestone was disclosed at a press conference yesterday where government officials, sports administrators, and corporate partners gathered to formally unveil the Grand Final and reaffirm their support for grassroots athletics development in Nigeria.
Among the dignitaries present were Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Wasilat Adegoke; Oyo State Sports Council General Manager Tunde Ajibike; and Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) Special Adviser (South) HRM Jacob Dairo Olutayo. MTN executives Idowu Adesokan and Oluseye Odunsi attended alongside Making of Champions (MoC) Founder/CEO Bambo Akani, Beacon Power Services Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications Oluchi Obazue, five-time Olympian Mary Onyali, and MTN CHAMPS Ibadan Ambassador Enoch Adegoke.
Speaking for MTN, Adesokan framed the record turnout as proof of the platform's growing impact. "Nigeria is rich in talent and potential, waiting for the right platform to emerge. Through this initiative, we have identified and selected 30 exceptional athletes. This platform can produce Olympic champions, and I believe we have started that journey."
Akani attributed the growth partly to MTN's involvement, noting that the three Ibadan editions rank as the top three in registration figures across all competition legs. "I want to thank MTN for being the turning point in helping us scale the event, and BPS for their continued support through scholarships to our athletes." He confirmed the Grand Final will span two venues: the Lekan Salami Stadium and the University of Ibadan Sports Complex.
Commissioner Adegoke said the record edition aligned with the state's developmental goals, adding: "Oyo State is proud to host this youth sports competition."
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HRM Olutayo of the NSSF called for the programme's continuity: "A time will come when MTN CHAMPS will rule the world." Obazue of Beacon Power Services said the record scale reflected the depth of talent the competition had uncovered from Calabar to Jos and now Ibadan.
Five-time Olympian Onyali stressed that funding, media exposure, and strong support systems were essential to converting the record numbers into elite performers, while Olympic finalist Adegoke predicted the Ibadan leg would be the most impressive yet. "You may have seen great performances in Calabar and fast times in Jos, but Ibadan promises to be even greater."
Twenty Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) drawn from the Calabar and Jos legs will also compete at the Grand Final. The Calabar MVPs are Miracle Festus Okon, Ayi Blessing Sekibo, Success Onyinyechi Onu, Emediong Aniefiok Sunday, Glory Bassey, David Miracle, Chisom Ezeh, Ruth Samuel John, Eze Chukwuma Onyema, Daniel Okwokwo, Promise Somtochukwu Goodluck, and Etieno Israel. The Jos MVPs are Bakare Rofiat Boluwatife, Josephine Onyemauche, Weynom Shabi, Precious Gift Ishaku, Faith Onumadu, Zikirullah Ibrahim, David Dada Stephen, and Nuhu Bamaiyi.
It is the third time Ibadan has hosted MTN CHAMPS and the first time it will stage the Grand Final.
