By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Telecommunication giant MTN has pledged its readiness to boost grassroots sports development across the country by providing ample platform for budding talents that abound in the states to showcase their potential for the global limelight.
According to the Telecom service provider, MTN CHAMPS Season 2 held in Calabar is geared towards discovering, grooming, and projecting such athletes for laurels at the global athletic stage.
Unveiling the package during a press conference in Calabar on Monday, MTN Chief Marketing Officer, Adia Sowho stated that the Season 2 finale “promises to be a celebration of sportsmanship as a mark of a testament to a shared commitment towards investing in Nigeria’s future and sports”
In her words “Season 2 has already surpassed Season 1 in various dimensions with over 8,000 people registered for the tournament, with 2,300 billed for the Calabar event alone.
“It’s exciting to imagine a future where Nigeria athletes are consistently at the podium at major international events inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams, this program is saving the way for the future nurturing that talent and providing the support they need to reach their full potential.
“This grand finale is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our athletes, our coaches, and the organizers.”
Speaking, the founder of Making of Champions (MOC), Bambo Akani, revealed that the event was conceived as a nation-building and life-changing concept for the youth, stressing that the main objectives of the event revolved around reinventing Nigeria’s rich antecedents in track and field with a view of ensuring bright future for the nation at the Olympics.
“The team of 70 MVP athletes and 2,300 other athletes who will be in Calabar this week will all be fighting for a place at the Making of Champions Athletics Academy. MTN is so gracious to sponsor 12 athletes in season one and another 12 from season two at the Academy. We’re already coining that team as ‘Team MTN’ and we are going to enjoy seeing the athletes here progressing to the academy and seeing their lives change.
“We will charge all the young athletes here who will be competing to do their best, continue staying strong, celebrate victories, and come back next year again. I think we have unlocked something very special in Nigeria and I have no doubt that there will be many athletes that will represent Nigeria at the 2028 Olympics in the next four years. Let’s enjoy a great show in Calabar.”
Vice Chairman of the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, commended the organizers for providing a platform for children’s participation to showcase their potential in athletics, calling on the organizing committee to accord priority attention to improving sporting standards in the country.
In her remarks, Cross River Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Agnes Atsu assured MTN of adequate logistic assistance to guarantee a hitch-free competition.
She expressed the state’s readiness to host the subsequent edition of the grand finale of MTN CHAMPS, maintaining that the state is disposed towards effective collaboration for optimum exploration of the state’s rich potential in sports.
“We have one of the best facilities in the country in track and field. We promise you a serene environment and a hitch-free event. This administration is open to more collaboration and partnership,” she said.