The MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays, Nigeria’s premier athletics competition, marked its inaugural presence in Lagos with a record-breaking influx of participants across all age categories: cadet, youth, junior, and senior. Hosted concurrently at the Yabatech Sports Complex and the UNILAG Sports Centre, the Lagos edition welcomed an astounding 2,505 athletes representing 155 secondary schools, culminating in 6,298 event entries over a four-day span. This participation spanned a wide spectrum of ages, encompassing 443 cadets, 824 youth athletes, 610 juniors, and 628 senior competitors. The event also attracted international participation from neighboring countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, and Ivory Coast, underscoring the growing regional influence of the MTN CHAMPS.
MTN, the telecommunications giant sponsoring the event, reaffirmed its dedication to fostering national development through sports. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the company’s commitment to this vision, stating that the MTN CHAMPS serves as a catalyst for growth, inspiration, and the transformation of athletics in Nigeria. She emphasized MTN’s broader involvement in supporting the aspirations of Nigerians, not just through innovative technological solutions, but also through active participation in socially impactful programs, particularly in sports like football and athletics. The MTN CHAMPS, launched in 2023, aims to unearth and cultivate young athletic talent, with the ultimate goal of developing future Olympians for Nigeria. As a testament to this commitment, MTN has identified and selected 20 exceptional athletes from across the country, providing them with specialized coaching and training to prepare them for future championships.
Making of Champions (MoC), a key partner in the MTN CHAMPS, reiterated Nigeria’s immense potential in athletics. Deji Ogeyinbo, MoC’s Country Manager, speaking on behalf of MoC founder Bambo Akani, underscored the historical significance of athletics for Nigeria, citing the sport’s contribution to the majority of the country’s Olympic medals. With 14 out of 27 total Olympic medals stemming from track and field events, Nigeria possesses a wealth of talent. The challenge, as highlighted by Ogeyinbo, lies in effectively transitioning this raw talent into consistent medal wins at the Olympic Games and World Championships. The success of Tobi Amusan’s world record-breaking performance at the World Championships serves as a benchmark and an inspiration for fostering future success on the global stage.
Lekan Fatodu, Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the unique opportunities that Lagos State provides for discovering and nurturing young athletic talent, particularly within the age groups represented at the MTN CHAMPS. The strategic choice of Lagos as the host city leveraged the state’s robust sporting infrastructure and vibrant athletic community. This aligns with the event’s objective of identifying and developing the next generation of Nigerian athletes. The dual venue approach facilitated the smooth running of the competition across various age groups. Athletes in the cadet (U-14) and youth (U-17) categories initially competed at the UNILAG Sports Centre before joining the junior (U-20) and senior athletes at the Yabatech Sports Complex for the final day of competition. This arrangement allowed younger athletes to compete in a dedicated environment before experiencing the atmosphere of a larger stadium alongside their older counterparts.
The MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays expanded its scope this season with the inclusion of six relay events, notably featuring the newly sanctioned World Athletics Mixed 4x100m relay. This addition not only aligned the competition with international standards but also provided athletes with the opportunity to compete in a dynamic and increasingly popular relay format. The inclusion of this globally recognized relay format reflects the MTN CHAMPS’ commitment to staying at the forefront of athletics and providing athletes with exposure to the latest events in the sport.
In essence, the Lagos edition of the MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays signified a watershed moment for Nigerian athletics. Its record-breaking participation, coupled with the strong commitment of MTN and its partners, signaled a renewed focus on developing and nurturing young athletic talent. The event served not just as a competition, but as a platform for inspiration, showcasing the potential for future Nigerian Olympians and fostering a sense of national pride in the country’s athletic prowess. The inclusion of international athletes and the globally recognized mixed relay event further elevated the status of the competition, positioning it as a key event on the African athletics calendar and laying a foundation for the continued growth and development of track and field in Nigeria.
