Over 3,000 athletes to grace track at MTN Making of Champions season 4

Posted : 14 April 2026

Ibadan is set for a vibrant showcase of youth athletics as more than 3,000 secondary school athletes converge on the Lekan Salami Stadium for the grand finale of MTN Making of Champions (CHAMPS) Season 4.

The four-day event, running from April 14 to April 17, will feature participants from 375 schools, underlining the growing reach and impact of the grassroots athletics initiative across Nigeria.

Speaking at a pre-event press briefing in Ibadan, MTN’s General Manager for Consumer Segment, Idowu Adesokan, highlighted the scale and significance of this year’s edition. He noted that the competition has continued to expand, with Oyo State once again leading in participation numbers.

Beyond competition, this year’s event introduces a major incentive—a N20 million regional grant to be shared among participating schools. According to Adesokan, the grant is aimed at encouraging institutional excellence while strengthening grassroots sports development.

He emphasized that the CHAMPS initiative, launched in 2023, was created to identify and nurture young talents with the long-term goal of producing future Olympians for Nigeria.

“Across the country, we have seen young athletes rise to the occasion, showing resilience, discipline, and determination. These performances confirm that Nigeria is rich in untapped athletic potential,” Adesokan said.

The programme has already produced notable young talents, including Samuel Adejumo, Emmanuel Oyewale, Azeezat Muhammad Raji, and Toheebat Jimoh, many of whom emerged from Oyo State’s strong athletics base.

As part of its talent development pathway, MTN has selected 30 standout athletes as CHAMPS Most Valuable Players.

These athletes are currently enrolled in a specialised training academy, where they benefit from structured coaching and a two-year scholarship designed to prepare them for international competitions.

Founder of Making of Champions, Bambo Akanni, revealed that the initiative has hosted 14 competitions across its first three seasons, with this year’s edition attracting about 3,000 applications before final selections were made.

Also lending support, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, commended the initiative for aligning with the state’s commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.

She described MTN CHAMPS as a platform that is reviving grassroots athletics while opening global opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Oyo State is proud to host this celebration of youth sports. Initiatives like this are crucial in shaping the future of our athletes and positioning Nigeria on the global stage,” she said.

With high expectations and a strong turnout, the MTN CHAMPS Season 4 finals promise to be a thrilling display of emerging talent and a significant step forward for athletics development in Nigeria.

The scale of this year's finale demonstrates the success of the MTN CHAMPS initiative in revitalizing Nigerian grassroots sports. By providing both financial grants and professional training pathways, the program ensures that discovered talents are not just identified but properly developed for the global stage. As the competition unfolds in Ibadan, the eyes of the nation remain on these young athletes who carry the hopes of Nigeria's future Olympic success.

Over 3,000 athletes to grace track at MTN Making of Champions season 4

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