3,220 Athletes To Participate As Most Anticipated MTN CHAMPS Season 4 Finale Holds in Ibadan

 

The brown-roof city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, plays host to the Season 4 edition of MTN CHAMPS, expected to attract thousands of young talented athletes to the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, and the University of Ibadan Sports Complex for the highly anticipated grand finale.

The four-day sporting activities, which commenced on April 13 with a world press conference and continue from April 14 to 17, 2026, are organised in partnership with Making of Champions (MoC) and provide a structured pathway for young athletes to develop their skills and pursue opportunities on the global stage, including qualification pathways towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with 3,220 participants, 375 teams, and 215 schools in attendance.

At the end of the competition, one outstanding school will claim from the ₦20 million prize pool, while the top 10 standout athletes will be selected into the MoC Athletics Academy, reinforcing the organisers’ commitment to rewarding excellence and strengthening grassroots sports development.

Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager, Consumer Segment, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Idowu Adesokan, noted that the programme has continued to inspire young athletes across the country to push their limits and showcase their potential on bigger stages. 

According to him, MTN CHAMPS has already identified 30 exceptional athletes as MVPs who are currently enrolled in a specialised academy, receiving structured coaching, scholarships, and world-class training aimed at preparing them for international competitions and ultimately producing Olympic champions. He also highlighted the steady growth of the competition across its previous editions, with increasing participation and wider school representation, as well as its role in positioning Nigeria on the continental athletics map.

He added that Season 4 promises to be the most exciting yet, with Ibadan hosting the grand finale for the first time in the South-West after earlier events in Calabar and Jos, alongside the introduction of a ₦20 million regional grant designed to boost grassroots participation and reward institutional performance. He further emphasised Ibadan’s significance as a consistent hub for high athlete turnout and a breeding ground for standout talents contributing to Nigeria’s athletics ecosystem.

In her remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke, said the initiative aligns with the state government’s vision to nurture young talents and promote sports development under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, noting that the upgraded Lekan Salami Stadium and other facilities have positioned the state to host major sporting events while also serving as a platform for discovering and developing emerging athletes. 

She commended the organisers for bringing the competition back to Ibadan, adding that MTN CHAMPS continues to play a vital role in revitalising grassroots sports and preparing Nigerian athletes for global opportunities.

Also speaking, the Founder and CEO of Making of Champions, Bambo Akanni, said the competition has recorded remarkable growth over the seasons, with Ibadan consistently ranking among the top locations in terms of participation. He attributed this progress to strong partnerships and sustained investment, noting that the MoC Academy has expanded to 30 athletes selected from previous editions, many of whom have gone on to achieve success at national and international levels. 

He expressed confidence that the initiative is building a solid pipeline of athletes capable of representing Nigeria at future global competitions, including the Olympic Games, while also providing a clear development structure across multiple age categories.

Other stakeholders, including five-time African champion and Olympic medalist Mary Onyali, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communication, Beacon Power Service, Oluchi Ubazue, Representative of Nigeria School Sport Foundation, HRM. Oba Jacob Dairo Olutayo, alongside Nigerian athlete and MTN CHAMPS third time ambassador, Enoch Adegoke in their separate remarks commended MTN and Making of Champions for their continued investment in youth development, noting that the initiative is not only discovering talents but also shaping a new generation of disciplined and high-performing athletes ready to compete on the global stage.